BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Senior officials
from Central Asian countries and South Korea met in Astana to
finalize preparations for the upcoming Central Asia-Republic of
Korea Summit, reviewing the agenda for the leaders' meeting and
discussing ways to deepen regional cooperation.
This was reflected in the statement by the Uzbekistan's Foreign
Ministry.
The third meeting of senior officials, held on July 31, brought
together deputy foreign ministers from South Korea, Kazakhstan,
Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan's ambassador to Kazakhstan,
and an Uzbek delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mirvokhid
Azimov.
The participants agreed on the key elements of the summit's
agenda and discussed the program for the high-level meeting.
"The participants confirmed their mutual interest in further
expanding cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the Central
Asian states in priority areas of common interest," the ministry
said in a statement.
The side also reviewed the current state of cooperation between
South Korea and the five Central Asian countries and exchanged
views on prospects for strengthening partnership across a range of
sectors.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Azimov held bilateral talks
with South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Yi-hye.
The two officials discussed the current state of
Uzbekistan-South Korea relations, reviewed the schedule of upcoming
meetings at the highest and high levels, and explored opportunities
to further expand bilateral cooperation.
The meeting in Astana forms part of preparations for the next
Central Asia-Republic of Korea Summit, which is expected to focus
on strengthening political dialogue and expanding cooperation in
areas including trade, investment, infrastructure, technology and
regional development.
