Turkmenistan seeks deeper ties with Korea

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov poses with the President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul in April, 2015.

Diplomatic ties between Turkmenistan and Republic of Korea were established in February 1992.

For 23 years Turkmenistan and Republic of Korea have been developing their fruitful cooperation. Since then reached agreements and arrangements have been successfully realized in many spheres. On the international arena, Turkmenistan and Republic of Korea render mutual support and confidence to each other, particularly within the framework of interaction in the United Nations Organization.

So, in December 2008, Republic of Korea rendered to our country an active support as co-sponsor of international initiative of the President of Turkmenistan on adoption of Resolution of the UN General Assembly on reliable and safe transit of energy bearers to the world markets.

The Eurasian Initiative and the Silk Road Express Project announced by President of Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye to build reliable energy and transport corridors on the continent in many ways coincide with Turkmenistan’s International initiatives for achieving energy and transport security.

On April 11-13, 2015 President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov paid a state visit to the Republic of Korea. During his visit President of Turkmenistan participated in VII World Water Forum held in Daegu.

Putting forward specific initiatives of the country, the Turkmen leader emphasized that today water problems could not be considered in isolation from global development plans, environmental and food security and creation of an integrated system of sustainable energy.

Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan also considers it useful to hold high-level interactive dialogue dedicated to the International Decade for Action, that took place recently at the United Nations Headquarters, the results of which can serve as a foundation for development of the long-term UN Specialized Programme on Water Issues.

“We see opportunities for establishing a systematic multi-level dialogue to address all problems related to formation and restoration of water resources and their efficient use in the creation of a new political and diplomatic form of multilateral communication, which could be ‘water diplomacy’”, said President of Turkmenistan.

In this regard, the President of Turkmenistan expressed belief in that such a joint activity could be the foundation for a comprehensive document of the United Nations on water. The Turkmen leader expressed support to the UN initiative on the recognition of water accessibility as a fundamental human right and noted that the water right and liability for efficient water resources management laid the foundation for this approach.

Recognizing that solution of water issues in a global scale is complicated due to climate change, Turkmenistan put forward an initiative on creation of a UN specialized structure - the Regional Centre for technologies related to climate change under the auspices and with the active participation of the United Nations Organization.

Largest Indoor Ferris Wheel In The World, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

The strengthening the confidence building measures in Asia and creating an enabling political environment to promote relations between states in accordance with the recognized norms of international law and the Charter of the United Nations were the key aspects of the dialogue between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea during the one-to-one talks of two Presidents and the talks with participation of the government delegations at Cheong Wa Dae Palace.

It was noted that the proposals put forward by two countries to further promote international cooperation were mutually reinforcing. President of Turkmenistan also invited the President of Republic of Korea to take part in International Conference of high level “Policy of neutrality: international cooperation for peace, security and development” which will be held in December, 2015.

The academic degree of Honorary Doctor of the Sungkyunkwan University was conferred to the leader of the Turkmen state for his profound contribution to strengthening friendly brotherly relations between peoples of Turkmenistan and Korea and his outstanding work in promoting bilateral contacts in the spheres of science and education.

The major Korean companies have been operating successfully in various sectors of Turkmen economy over many years. The ambitious projects implemented jointly with the companies include construction of industrial facilities on Turkmen oil and gas, transport and construction fields. Nearly half of the public transport fleet of Turkmenistan is composed of Korean buses and motorcars.

In addition, Hyundai Motor Company is one of the official car suppliers to the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, which will be held in Turkmenistan in 2017.

During the state visit it was noted that Turkmenistan and Korea had opportunities to promote partnership in new spheres as textile and chemical industries, urban and road infrastructure development.

It were signed several contracts mostly in the field of oil and gas, textile, metallurgy industries, also sport, science, technological spheres and etc.

During the state visit of President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye to Turkmenistan in June, 2014 several contracts in key industries worth over 4 billion dollars with “LG International Corp” and “Hyundai Engineering” were also signed. It was the first visit of the President of Republic of Korea in the history of the bilateral relations.

Both sides outlined the key areas of cooperation, including trade and economic sphere, transport, energy, high technology and other fields. In the framework of the visit the new KIA-HYUNDAI trade and service Centre was also opened in Ashgabat, capital of Turkmenistan.

Both countries pay great attention to the cultural and humanitarian relations. Only in 2015 year the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Republic of Korea took part in several fairs and festivals organized by Korean side. For example, Charity bazaar for children with disabilities in April, 8 at the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul; Garden Club Flower Show on May 6 at the Raemian Gallery in Seoul; Charity bazaar organized by the MOFA of RK at National Diplomatic Academy in southern Seoul on May 12; the Embassies Day festival on June 19-21sponsored by the Foreign Ministry, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Korea Tourism Organization; Itaewon Global Village festival on October 17-18 and etc. Turkmen booth displayed traditional craftworks, souvenirs and food.

On Sept. 5, 2015, Award Ceremony and exhibition of world children’s drawings on the topic of “Peace and Friendship” devoted to the 20th Anniversary of the Neutrality of Turkmenistan was held at the Centennial Hall of Sookmyung Women’s University.

This event was organized by the initiative of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Republic of Korea by support of Korean “Global Youth Fair” and Sookmyung Women’s University.

It is very encouraging that over 125 drawings have been submitted from local Korean schools, Korean art schools and foreign embassies. It was 3 nomination groups of age 4-6, age 7-10, age 11-15. 12 drawings have been awarded the prize and Award Certificate and another 113 artworks have been awarded Certificate of Participation. All artworks were very impressive and high quality. All of them were exhibited at a Hall of Sookmyung Women’s University.

So, the regularly organized meetings and negotiations between the Leaders of two friendly countries: Turkmenistan and Republic of Korea can serve as a basis for further development of mutually beneficial relations owing to creation of new model of cooperation, allowing fully uniting all advantages of two countries and getting from them practical output.