On October 29, 2020, political consultations were held between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea at the level of deputy foreign ministers of the two countries in the format of a video conference.
At the meeting, the Turkmen delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan V. Hajiev, and the South Korean delegation - by Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea Kim Gunn.
The sides exchanged views on the issues of regional and international agendas, expressed satisfaction with the current dynamics of the development of bilateral ties, and stressed the paramount importance of contacts at the highest level.
It was noted that regular consultations between the Foreign Mministries of the two countries are an efficient mechanism and an effective platform for the development of political and diplomatic cooperation, as well as building up multidisciplinary interstate partnership between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea.
As is known, following a telephone conversation between the President of Turkmenistan and the President of the Republic of Korea on August 28 of this year, “A roadmap” was prepared for cooperation between the two countries, which reflects joint political, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian activities in the near future.
In this context, the need was expressed to intensify the mutual dialogue within the framework of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Korean Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation (IGC), the next meeting of which is scheduled for November this year.
The long-term effective cooperation of public and private structures of the two countries in the implementation of large projects in the oil and gas and gas chemical sectors of the economy with the involvement of Korean technologies was emphasized. The importance of regular business forums was also noted, including the creation in October 2019 of the Joint Turkmen-Korean Business Council, which is a multifaceted tool for expanding trade and economic ties between the two countries.
During the discussions, the diplomats stressed the importance of cooperation in the field of science and education, noted the success of interaction with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), including the process of the Turkmen side joining the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). It is important to note that since 2019, the Educational Center for the Study of the Korean Language and Culture of the King Sejong Institute Foundation has been successfully operating on the basis of the D. Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages.
Discussing the topic of sports, the Turkmen side expressed interest in studying the experience of Korea in holding major international sports events, including personnel training, and the issue of training Turkmen athletes under the guidance of Korean specialists.
Joint efforts to counter the current pandemic situation were noted. In this context, the need was expressed for further development and strengthening of cooperation in the field of public health, exchange of experience in the field of preventing the spread of coronavirus. The parties stressed the need to intensify joint research activities, including discussing the possibility of holding the second meeting of the Turkmen-Korean working group on health by videoconference in the near future.
At the end of the meeting, the parties expressed hope for the further development of the Turkmen-Korean relations.
