South Korea is proven, reliable strategic partner of Uzbekistan: Ambassador Fen
Yangi O'zbekiston Park and the Independence Monument in Tashkent / Courtesy of Embassy of Uzbekistan in Korea
By Vitaliy Fen
Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Korea Vitaliy Fen / Courtesy of Embassy of Uzbekistan in Korea
During the years of independence, great changes were made in Uzbekistan. Especially in recent years, historical reforms have taken place in almost all spheres, and enormous creative changes have been implemented.
Especially in 2017-2021, on the basis of the implementation of the Strategy of Actions for the five priority directions of the development of the Republic of Uzbekistan, significant progress has been made in terms of fundamentally renewing the political, legal, socio-economic, spiritual and educational life of our country, turning the idea of "from national revival to national progress" into a reality.
As a logical continuation of this progress, the development strategy of the new Uzbekistan for 2022-2026 was adopted.
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev defined seven priority directions of the development strategy of the new Uzbekistan.
In this conceptual document, in order to ensure the integrity and continuity of reforms, the principle, "from the strategy of actions to the strategy of development," was taken as the main idea and main criterion.
In particular, the following were defined as the most important tasks to be implemented:
-?Building a people's state by raising human dignity and further developing a free civil society;
-?Making the principles of justice and the rule of law the most basic and necessary conditions for development in our country;
-?Accelerated development of the national economy and ensuring high growth rates;
-?Pursuing a fair social policy and the development of human capital;
-?Ensuring spiritual development and bringing this sphere to a new level;
-?Approaching global problems based on national interests;
-?Strengthening our country's security and defense potential while pursuing an open, pragmatic and active foreign policy.
While defining the priority directions for the next five years, the president emphasized that the rights, freedoms and legal interests of every citizen living in our country are of the highest value.
One of the most important aspects is that in the development strategy of the new Uzbekistan, valuing the individual human is placed at the top, and from it, state and community management are organized, based on the new principle of "man-society-state." As a practical result, human interest and dignity become the main goal.
The 31st anniversary of our country's independence is celebrated under the slogan, "In the new Uzbekistan, the dignity of man and the interests of the people are the highest value!"
Of course, during the years since independence, Uzbekistan established friendly relations with foreign partners. Among such partners, South Korea has a special place.
Uzbekistan is considering further strengthening its cooperation with the Republic of Korea ― which has strong economic, industrial and intellectual potential ― as one of its strategic issues. After the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries in 1992, significant results were achieved in the development of mutual relations.
About two hundred interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents have been adopted by our countries together. This important legal framework serves as a solid foundation for mutual cooperation.
As a result of high-level dialogues and common aspirations, the cooperation of our countries is consistently developing in all directions.
The state visit of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Republic of Korea on Dec. 16-18, 2021, raised the quality of mutual relations to a new level.
This historic visit created a solid foundation for the development of multilateral relations. Within the framework of the visit, the leaders of the two countries adopted a joint statement on deepening the relations of the special strategic partnership between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea.
The document reflects the issues of the comprehensive development of mutually beneficial cooperation, a broad celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the consolidation of friendship between the two nations. Digitalization, the green economy and the implementation of strong social policy are defined as the three major directions of the special strategic partnership.
The two countries signed an intergovernmental agreement on healthcare, a program of cooperation with the Korea International Cooperation Agency for 2022-2024, a program of cooperation between foreign ministries for 2022-2024 and memoranda on establishing a dialogue on energy, on cooperation in developing smart cities, on financing through the Economic Development Assistance Fund and on rare metals, copper and their alloys.
During the visit, the memoranda on cooperation in information technology and smart agriculture were also signed. An agreement on the supply of medical equipment with the participation of the Economic Development Fund was reached.
Inter-parliamentary friendship groups have been instrumental in enhancing Uzbek-Korean relations. Their latest meeting was held in Tashkent in August this year.
They continue to share their experience in lawmaking, public administration reforms, civil society, gender issues, education and regional development.
Our countries have been supporting each other within the U.N. and other international organizations. Uzbekistan approves of the peace-loving policy of the Republic of Korea, which is of great importance for ensuring global security, and is aimed at strengthening mutual solidarity on the Korean Peninsula.
The total volume of South Korean investments in the economy of our country has exceeded $7 billion. The Korea National Oil Corporation, Eximbank, Kogas, Lotte Group, Samsung, Hanshin Engineering & Construction, Shindong Resources, TDC Co., Ltd. and many other leading companies are actively carrying out large investment projects in our country.
In short, in Uzbekistan ― which has always been a center of trade, science and culture ― today there are many opportunities for business.
The fact that South Korean companies express their readiness to support investment projects in Uzbekistan, share best practices, and carry out practical work in this regard serves the interests of both countries equally.
The South Korean side supports our reforms in the areas of the rule of law, regional security, religious tolerance, media freedom and gender equality.
In particular, in July this year, a roundtable discussion on constitutional reforms in Uzbekistan was held in Seoul. The main goal of the event was to familiarize the South Korean public with the content and importance of the constitutional reforms in Uzbekistan and to exchange opinions on these issues. Representatives of South Korea's political and expert circles, who participated in the event, expressed their support for the constitutional reforms being implemented in Uzbekistan.
Our cultural relations are also becoming more active year after year. In particular, I am not mistaken in saying that the opening of the statue of the great Uzbek poet and thinker, Alisher Navoi, in South Korea last December was a huge historical event in the spiritual life of both nations. Along with Tokyo, Shanghai, Washington, Moscow, Minsk, Baku, Mazar-e-Sharif, Osh and Dushanbe, another beautiful city of the world ― Seoul ― unveiled a beautiful monument in memory of our famous ancestor.
In conclusion, it should be said that during the last 30 years of cooperation, the Republic of Korea has been implementing joint projects with Uzbekistan in almost all areas of the economy. South Korea has become a proven and reliable strategic partner of Uzbekistan in foreign policy, the world community, economic and social change and international issues. Both sides are equally interested in further development of this cooperation in the future.
Vitaliy Fen is the ambassador of Uzbekistan to Korea.