South Korea, Kyrgyzstan to enhance bilateral cooperation

South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon 

Bishkek: Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Lee Nak-yon paid an official visit to Kyrgyzstan on July 17-18. During the visit, the South Korean prime minister met the country’s leaders and took part in the Kyrgyz-Korean business forum. In particular, Lee Nak met President Sooronbay Jeenbekov and Prime Minister Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev.

During the talk, they discussed the further development of cooperation in trade, agriculture, health care, the mining industry, tourism, energy, transport, textile industry, information technologies, as well as strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties.  At the meeting, the Kyrgyz President stressed that this is the first high-level visit from the Republic of Korea over the past 28 years; the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries expressed confidence that the visit will help strengthen friendship and enhance the interaction of countries.

President Jeenbekov emphasized that the numerous Korean diaspora of Kyrgyzstan contributes to the deepening of the cooperation with Korea. Its representatives are public figures, major entrepreneurs and intellectuals who contribute to the development of the national economy. The Kyrgyz President also thanked the Korean side for the assistance in the implementation of economic projects in the country and noted the positive activities of the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Kyrgyzstan. The amount of grant aid provided by Korea made USD 42 million.

 
Moreover, Jeenbekov noted with satisfaction that the Kyrgyz-Korean business forum on July 17 in Bishkek, which was attended by leaders and representatives of more than 200 Korean companies, will give its positive results in the future. The Korean PM also noted that he is the first head of the Korean government, who arrived in Kyrgyzstan for an official visit since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries.

Lee Nak-yon expressed hope for expanding contacts and cooperation not only at the government level but also between business structures, which will create conditions for attracting direct investments.

In Bishkek, several documents have been signed, such as the protocol on amending the agreement on air flight communication between the governments of the two countries dated July 11, 2006, the memorandum of understanding in the field of fisheries, the memorandum of understanding between Diplomatic Academies of the two countries and the supplementary agreement to the Framework Grant Agreement. Besides, last Wednesday, at the Kyrgyz-Korean business forum with the participation of prime ministers of two countries, two documents about the construction of an enterprise producing fiber-optic cables and on the development of resort services were signed.

South Korea’s Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon arrived in Kyrgyzstan as part of his four-nation trip after his visit to Tajikistan, where he met President Emomali Rahmon and Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda. Lee’s visit to the four countries — Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Qatar — is aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties with Central and Southwest Asia and the Middle East.

By Nurjan Kasmalieva, contributor for The AsiaN