Partnership Priorities with Central Asian Countries Discussed at Forum in the Republic of Korea
An ambassadorial roundtable discussion on expanding multi-faceted cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the Central Asian states was held on the sidelines of the 21st Peace and Prosperity Forum on Jeju Island, South Korea. This high-level event, which brought together diplomats, South Korean government representatives, leading academics, and media representatives, took on particular significance in the context of preparations for the first Central Asian-Republic of Korea Heads of State Summit, scheduled for September of this year in Seoul. Panelists analyzed priority areas for cooperation in energy, industrial cooperation, cultural and humanitarian exchange.
Begench Durdyev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Korea, participated in the roundtable. In his speech, the diplomat briefed the participants on the achievements and economic potential of our country, which is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its independence this year. It was emphasized that the partnership between Ashgabat and Seoul is based on a solid legal framework and is regularly reinforced by high-level contacts.
Today, concrete examples of effective industrial cooperation include major projects in Turkmenistan's oil, gas, and chemical sectors, implemented with the participation of Korean giants, including Daewoo Engineering & Construction, as well as a partnership in the healthcare sector with Korea Meditech. The head of the Turkmen diplomatic mission described the recent launch of the jointly built cargo vessel "Gadamly" as a striking symbol of industrial cooperation in the Caspian Sea.
In parallel with the economic track, the humanitarian vector is actively developing, reinforced by the growing interest of Turkmen youth in studying the Korean language and Korean martial arts. At the end of the session, firm confidence was expressed in the productive nature of the autumn Seoul summit, and the Ambassador called on the Korean side to intensify joint preparations for the upcoming state visit of the Turkmen leader.
The diplomatic synchronization on Jeju Island coincided with the in-depth development of the expert agenda in Tajikistan. At the same time, Dushanbe hosted the 3rd Central Asia – Republic of Korea Think Tank Forum, where leading political scientists and economists from the region developed a package of practical recommendations for governments ahead of the leaders' meeting in Seoul. More details on the development of expert solutions in the Tajik capital can be found in ORIENT's article at this link.
