STATE VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA TO TURKMENISTAN

The state visit of the President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in to Turkmenistan has started on the 16th of April 2019, in the framework of his tour of the Central Asian countries.  

On April 17, 2019, after the official meeting ceremony and photographing in front of the state flags of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea, the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited the President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in to the “Oguzhan” Presidential Palace premises where Turkmen-Korean negotiations in narrow format were held.  

Then the meeting in extensive format took place in participation of the members of official delegations of two countries.  The Leaders of two states discussed wide scope of issues related to Turkmen-Korean cooperation and determined its key directions in the framework of implementing bilateral agreements.   

Realizing its foreign policy course, Turkmenistan focuses on three priority dimensions which consist of energy, transport and water diplomacy said the President of Turkmenistan during the talks.  Mentioning the closeness of views of two countries on the global sustainable development, the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude for the support of the Republic of Korea of the international initiatives of Turkmenistan in the area of energy security, stable transport and nature protection.        

As was noted, the energy, transport, water resources and ecology are to become subjects for further effective work in the framework of Cooperation Forum between the Central Asian states and the Republic of Korea.  This Forum that was created upon the initiative of the Korean side more than 10 years ago serves as an efficient platform for the implementation of multilateral partnership projects in the region.        

As the main component of Turkmen-Korean relations, trade-economic cooperation became one of the key talking points during the negotiations on the highest level.  The transport sphere was determined as one of the main courses of bilateral cooperation.  Large Korean transporting-logistical, shipbuilding companies, as well as the entities producing modern high-class automobiles, locomotives and railway carriages can take part in the development of transport-communicational infrastructure of Turkmenistan which is an important element of international cooperation in the area of stable transport.     

With the aim of strengthening trade relations and coordination of present and prospective joint economic projects, widening partnership scopes and reinforcing the business activity of commercial groups of both countries, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov proposed to establish the joint Turkmen-Korean Business Council.  It may consist of Turkmen and Korean industrial enterprises, trade companies, banks, financial-manufacturing institutes and the economic information centres.   

During the high-level talks, the significance of expanding collaboration in cultural-humanitarian sphere was noted.  In Turkmenistan, the Korean language and ancient distinctive culture of Korean people is highly respected.  In last years, more than 170 Turkmen students have completed and currently continue their studies in the high education institutions of the Republic of Korea.  One of the traditional aspects of bilateral cooperation is sport.  Martial arts sport types are very famous in Turkmenistan, one of which is the national Korean combat sport – Taekwondo.  Great opportunities are unfolding for cooperation in the sphere of tourism.

Upon completion of Turkmen-Korean negotiations on highest level, the ceremony of signing bilateral documents was held. 

The following documents were signed in presence of the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in:

Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Korea on canceling the visa administration for the owners of diplomatic, service and special passports; Economic Cooperation Programme between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Korea for the years 2019-2022;  Protocol on entering amendments to the Convention signed on the 13th of April 2015 between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Korea on avoidance of double taxation and preventing fiscal evasion related to income taxes;  Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Korea on cooperation in cultural-humanitarian sphere; Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the sphere of informational-communication technologies between the Ministry of Industry and Communications of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Science and Informational-Communication Technologies of the Republic of Korea;  Plan on the implementing cooperation between the Ministry of Health Protection and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Health Protection and Social Protection of the Republic of Korea on exchange of medical workers, pharmaceutical means and medical equipment.     

The heads of two states adopted Joint Communiqué on the results of the state visit of the President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in to Turkmenistan.     

Besides, the solid package of bilateral documents that have enlarged and strengthened the regulatory framework of intergovernmental relations, was also widened by around 20 memorandums and agreements that were signed the day before in Ashgabat in the sphere of developing fruitful cooperation in the area of textile industry, transport, oil and gas complex, healthcare and medical industry, education and training of qualified professional staff and i.e.  

After the end of signing ceremony, the Leaders of two countries made an address to the representatives of the mass media.

Then the distinguished guest went to Kipchak village, where he paid tribute to the memory of the first President of Turkmenistan, laying flowers at the Mausoleum and visiting the Turkmenbashi Spiritual Mosque.

Then the cortege of the President of the Republic of Korea traveled to the Monument of Independence of Turkmenistan, where the distinguished guest laid flowers and planted a tree in the Alley of Honored Guests.

The State visit of President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in to Turkmenistan continues.