AKIPRESS.COM - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Park Jin met in Ashgabat on October 31, who is in Ashgabat on an official visit.

The Foreign Ministers discussed issues of cooperation on a wide range of bilateral cooperation.

The Foreign Ministers noted that Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea attach special importance to further development of the Turkmen-Korean partnership, which is traditionally based on the principles of long-term friendship, trust and mutual understanding. At the same time, the development of contacts at the highest level plays a special role in expanding and strengthening bilateral ties.

In this context, Rashid Meredov noted that on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol held constructive negotiations, during which they emphasized the high level of interstate partnership, and also exchanged views on current regional and the international agenda.

The Foreign Ministers expressed a common opinion on strengthening inter-parliamentary ties. In this connection, special attention was paid to the official visits of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Seoul in November 2022 and Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Kim Jin-pyo to Ashgabat in July of this year, which became landmark events in the political life of the two states

During the negotiations, it was emphasized that the economic partnership between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea is strategic, sustainable and long-term.

In this regard, an exchange of views took place on priority areas of trade and economic cooperation. The discussions included projects for creation of an industrial cluster in the city of Arkadag, projects for construction of gas chemical plants, purchase of electric vehicles and electric buses, investments in introduction of the latest digital, information-communication and other technologies in construction of smart cities, use of methods and technologies for desalination of sea water and innovations in reasonable use of water resources, diversification of financing, studying Korean experience in green and hydrogen energy, creating modern high-tech industries focused on the production of competitive products.

The activities of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Korean Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation were noted as an effective tool for expanding trade and economic relations between two countries.

In addition, the areas of education, science, the study of the Korean language, healthcare and medicine were highlighted as promising areas of cultural and humanitarian ties.

While speaking about significance of cultural exchanges, in particular about successful holding of the Days of Culture of Turkmenistan in Korea in March 2023 together with the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the birth of the classical poet Magtymguly Fragi, the Foreign Ministers noted importance of organizing the Korean Culture Week in November 2023 in Ashgabat on a proper level.

Several bilateral documents were signed following the talks.

The memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and the School of Korean Medicine of the Pusan National University of the Republic of Korea and the National Institute for the Development of Korean Medicine of the Republic of Korea was signed.

The Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation was signed between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Korea.

The cooperation program for 2024-2025 was signed between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

The memorandum of understanding was signed between the Turkmen State Medical University named after Myrat Garryev and the Korea University College of Medicine.