President Of The Republic Of Korea Paid A State Visit To Turkmenistan

President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in upon invitation of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, arrived to Turkmenistan on a state visit

Ashgabat (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2019 ) President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in upon invitation of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, arrived to Turkmenistan on a state visit. The day after on April 17, the meetings of the Presidents of the two countries were held, during which the two sides discussed the issues of interstate relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea. Presidents of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea held one-on-one talks in the Oguzhan Palace Complex. Welcoming the distinguished guest, the President of Turkmenistan thanked President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in for accepting the invitation to visit Turkmenistan on a state visit. As it was noted, Turkmenistan considers the Republic of Korea as a reliable business partner and intends to continue to develop productive Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan mutually beneficial cooperation. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that the agreements reached in Ashgabat would give new content to the bilateral relations. Expressing appreciation for the warm greetings and the colorful welcoming ceremony, President Moon Jae-in confirmed the interest of the Republic of Korea in multi-faceted cooperation with Turkmenistan. The parties stated that at present, the interaction between the two countries was actively developing, and there was a great potential for expanding its areas. In this context, it was underlined the aspiration of businessmen in Korea to expand its presence in the Turkmen market and participate in new joint projects in various industries. Both leaders expressed belief that the meeting in Ashgabat would help to identify new prospects for cooperation. During the talks, taken place in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and constructiveness, a wide range of issues of the Turkmen-Korean relations were discussed, the priorities of the interstate cooperation were specified. Confirming the mutual commitment to increase cooperation in the trade and economic sphere, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in also emphasized the importance of strengthening humanitarian and cultural contacts. The head of the Republic of Korea also focused on the affinity of the ethnic roots of the Turkmen and Korean peoples that provides a platform for the development of sincere friendly relations. The guest underlined that it was a high honour for him to start his tour of the countries in Central Asia with Turkmenistan. During the meeting, the parties exchanged the views on a number of important issues of the regional and international agenda.

Turkmen-Korean bilateral talks

The talks continued with the participation of the official delegations of the two countries. As it was noted, this is the first visit of Moon Jae-in to Turkmenistan as the head of the Republic of Korea, which gives this meeting a special character. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that bilateral relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea had been actively developing in recent years in a wide range of areas. This is facilitated by a systematic political dialogue established between two countries at the high levels. It allows building up interstate relations for the future, coordinating approaches on key issues of international and regional policy, identifying the main vectors of interaction, making long-term plans for cooperation in the economy, trade, investment, cultural and humanitarian areas. The importance of developing Turkmen-Korean inter-parliamentary relations and regular contacts between foreign ministries was also noted. President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov underlined that cooperation in the international arena was built based on the coincidence or similarity of our countries' positions on major issues of world politics. Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea work together on practical solutions to such issues as non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and disarmament, the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and other types of cross-border crime. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov reaffirmed the position of the Turkmen side on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. As emphasized, Turkmenistan, as a state with an internationally recognized status of permanent neutrality, is pursuing a course towards the practical implementation of the fundamental principles and norms of the UN Charter, aimed at maintaining peace and ensuring international security. In this regard, Turkmenistan has always advocated the peaceful settlement of all issues on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and consultation.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov: “Turkmenistan welcomes the rapprochement process of two Korean nations”

During the talks with the President of the Republic of Korea, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov underlined that Turkmenistan welcomed the process of rapprochement of the two Korean states that started last year. Turkmen leader emphasized that Turkmenistan supported the New North policy of the Republic of Korea, aimed at strengthening relations between the countries on the Eurasian continent. Underlining the similarity of the two countries' views on global sustainable development, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Republic of Korea to the international initiatives put forward by Turkmenistan in the field of energy security, sustainable transport and environmental protection. In turn, Turkmenistan welcomes the proposals put forward by Korea in the United Nations with the aim to ensure peace, universal security and comprehensive development as well as supports the Republic of Korea during elections to reputable international organizations.

Energy, transport and water diplomacy are outlined as an important vector of Turkmen – Korean cooperation

President of Turkmenistan said that following its foreign course, Turkmenistan focuses on three main directions – energy, transport and water diplomacy. The selection of these priorities is not occasional, all of these are important component of global strategies and concepts, which have been adopted by the UN and aimed at sustainable development. It was mentioned that targeted work for creation of fundamentally new international legal mechanism, which is to provide balance in the relations between producers, transporters and consumers of energy, is carried out under the UN by the proposal of Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan consider transport sphere as an important directions of joint efforts of the members of the world community. The first global UN Forum on sustainable transport, which outlined the main directions of development of international relations in this sector, was held by the initiative of Turkmen side in Ashgabat in November 2016. Based on the decisions taken during the forum, Turkmenistan makes and develops new transit corridors together with different states. In this regards, the gratitude for support of this activity has been expressed to the Head of the Republic of Korea. Turkmenistan pays great attention to the environment protection emphasizing the subjects of protection and rational use of water resources in global and regional scale. Speaking of the position of Turkmenistan in water range of issues in Central Asia, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted that solution of relative problems has to be implemented on the base of international law taking into account the interests of all Central Asian countries under wide support of international organizations. This is the meaning of modern water diplomacy, about which Turkmenistan said at the World Water Forum in Daegu, South Korea in April 2015 for the first time. It was mentioned that energy, transport, water resources and ecology ae the subjects, which can be efficiently elaborated by the sides under the Forum on cooperation of Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea. This forum, which was made by the initiative of Korean side more than 10 years ago, is an actual platform for the implementation of the projects of multilateral partnership in the region. Turkmenistan highly appreciates the contribution of the Republic of Korea to the development of regional cooperation in Central Asia, Turkmen leader highlighted.

Priorities of trade and economic cooperation are outlined at Turkmen – Korean talks

Trade and economic cooperation as an important component of Turkmen – Korean relations was one of the main subjects of the talks of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov with President Moon Jae-in. Turkmenistan has rich natural resources, developing industrial and transport infrastructure and agrarian complex while the Republic of Korea has modern technologies and production, Turkmen leader said, having noted that Turkmenistan considers for beneficial cooperation with Korean business circles on creation of new industrial facilities based on advanced and eco-friendly technologies. Leading Korean companies participating in the implementation of the projects of construction and modernization of oil refining and petrochemical complexes were brought as an example of efficient joint activity. It includes gas-processing plant at Galkynysh field and petrochemical complex for polymers production in Kiaynly settlement in Balkan Velayat. In this context, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made proposal on detailed review of the implementation of joint energy projects in Turkmenistan in near future. The most important of them were discussed recently in Seoul at the seventh session of Intergovernmental Turkmen – Korean Commission for trade, economic, scientific and technological cooperation. In this regard, it was proposed to have talks between Korean companies and relative structures of Turkmenistan on detailed discussion of the subjects related to organization of joint work in May – June this year. Transport sphere was outlined as one of the main directions of bilateral cooperation. Big Korean transport, logistic and ship building companies as well as facilities producing modern high-class vehicles, locomotives and wagons would be able to take part in the development of transport and communication infrastructure f Turkmenistan as an important element of international cooperation in the sphere of sustainable transport. For example, ship-building plant operates in the structure of Turkmenbashi International Seaport, which was put into operation in May last year. In case of the interest of profile Korean companies, Turkmen side is willing to establish close cooperation in this new field – the construction of sea ships for their use in Caspian Sea. Partnership in supply of vehicles from the Republic of Korea with the opening of trade, service and maintenance bases of Korean vehicle building companies seems to be perspective in the partnership between our countries. Turkmen side said about the willingness to detailed discussion of the main terms of cooperation in the sphere of railroad transport. Study of the capabilities of Korean companies in supply of relative equipment as well as their participation in modernization of railways in Turkmenistan is very current in this sphere. Turkmenistan is also willing to develop joint projects in electronic industry having rich intellectual potential, wide financial and material resources for its development. Participation of Korean companies, which have high technologies, in creation of this industry in Turkmenistan can be another direction of the partnership. Advanced technologies of light industry of the Republic of Korea can be used in further development of Turkmen textile industry. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that systematic introduction of digital technologies in all spheres is strategically important for social and economic growth of Turkmenistan. In this regard, Turkmen side looks forward the exchange of practice with Korean colleagues in the sphere of digital economy and express the willingness to the establishment of direct contacts with relative government structures, institutes and companies of two states. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov proposed to establish joint Turkmen – Korean Business Council for strengthening of trade relations, coordination of existing and perspective joint economic projects and expansion of the spheres of the partnership. It composition may include Turkmen and Korean industrial facilities, trade companies, banks, financial and industrial institutes, centres of economic information. The Head of Turkmen state has also expressed the confidence that regular and systematic communication of entrepreneurship structures under the above-mentioned Council would support significant promotion of bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

New steps of development of Turkmen – Korean relations in cultural and humanitarian sphere are outlined in Ashgabat

Importance of the activation of cooperation in cultural and humanitarian sphere has been mentioned at high-level Turkmen – Korean talks in Ashgabat. Turkmenistan treats Korean language and ancient original culture of Korean nation with great respect. D. Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages train specialists in Korean language and literature for 11 years. The decision on opening of the Centre of Korean Language and Culture of the Fund of King Sejong Institute on the base of Turkmen institute has been taken. In the last few years, more than 170 Turkmen students received and continue getting education in high educational institutes of the Republic of Korea. Speaking of this, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov proposed relative ministries of two countries to review the opportunity of expansion of cooperation in training of qualified personnel.

The subject of the partnership with the Korean Plant Industry Association (KOPIA) and Korean Institute of Industrial Technologies (KITECH) is elaborated in the context of training of specialists in industrial, petrochemical, oil refinery and information technologies spheres. There are big opportunities in the sphere of scientific cooperation. In particular, Turkmen side seems the opening of the Informational Internet Centre by the proposal of the Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technologies of the Republic of Korea, which activity would support the expansion of bilateral cooperation in this sphere, to be perspective in Turkmenistan. The decision of Turkmenistan to join the Institute of global ‘green’ growth, which headquarter is located in Seoul, is a bright example of the partnership in scientific and applied spheres. Taking into account mutual interest in the development of cultural dialog, Turkmen leader proposed to organize Turkmen – Korean Forum of Cultural and Art Personnel in Ashgabat in 2020. Sports is one of traditional directions of bilateral cooperation. Martial arts, which include Korean national taekwondo, are very popular in Turkmenistan. Taking the opportunity, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed the gratitude to Korean specialists for training and master classes given to Turkmen sportsmen. It was mentioned that the sides consider the opportunity of the meeting of the heads of the Government structures responsible for the sport development in Ashgabat in the second half of 2019. Big perspectives are opened in the development of the partnership in tourism sphere. In near term, Turkmenistan will develop the Concept of cooperation in tourism sphere with the Republic of Korea.

Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea sign bilateral documents on the outcomes of the top-level talks

The top-level talks between President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in with the participation of the official delegations of the two countries took place at the Oguzhan Palace Complex. The official ceremony of signing bilateral documents was held on the outcomes of the talks. Among the documents signed at the presence of the leaders of the two states are: The Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Korea on the abolition of the visa regime for holders of diplomatic, official and special passports; The Programme of economic cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Korea for 2019-2022; The Protocol on Amendments to the Seoul Convention signed on April 13, 2015 between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Korea on the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to revenue-based levy; The Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Korea on cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere; The Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of information and communication technologies between the Ministry of Industry and Communication of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technologies of the Republic of Korea; The plan on cooperation between the Ministry of Health of Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of the Republic of Korea on the exchange of medical workers, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President Moon Jae-in put their signatures on the Joint Statement of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea. In addition, a solid package of bilateral documents also included the Memorandums and Agreements aimed at developing fruitful partnership: The Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Korea in the field of standardization, certification, metrology, objective assessments and technical regulations; The Memorandum of Understanding on the main areas of cooperation in the textile industry between the Ministry of Textile Industry of Turkmenistan and Korea Dyeing Technology Center (DYETEC); The Memorandum of Understanding on the main areas of cooperation in the textile industry between the Ministry of Textile Industry of Turkmenistan and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH); The Memorandum of Understanding between the "Türkmenawtoulaglary" Agency of the Ministry of Industry and Communication of Turkmenistan and "Hyundai" corporation of the Republic of Korea; The Memorandum of Understanding between the Closed Joint-Stock Company (NaPeCo) of the Turkmen National Oil and Gas Company and LG International Corp.; The Memorandum of Understanding on advanced training of Turkmen engineers between the Turkmengas State Concern and Korea Plant Industries Association (KOPIA); The Memorandum of Understanding between the International Training and Scientific Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and Korea Health Industry Development Institute; The Memorandum of Understanding between the International Training and Scientific Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and the clinic of the Kyungpook National University Medical Center in Daegu, Korea; The Memorandum of Understanding between the International Training and Research Center, as well as the Emergency First Aid Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and the Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul, Republic of Korea; The Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of geoinformation between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea; The Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of forest management between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and Korea Forest Service; The Memorandum of Understanding between the State Committee on TV, Radio Broadcasting and Cinematography of Turkmenistan and the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS); The Agreement on cooperation between Magtymguly Turkmen State University and Seoul National University; The Memorandum of Understanding in the field of science and education between D. Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages (Turkmenistan) and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (Republic of Korea); The Memorandum of Understanding between the International University for Human Sciences and Development and Hanyang University; The Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and Korea National Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea; The Memorandum of Understanding between the State Institute of Energy of Turkmenistan (Mary, Turkmenistan) and Seoul National University of Science and Technology (Seoul, Republic of Korea); The Agreement on cooperation between the Turkmen State Institute of Culture and the Korea National University of Arts; Thus, the willingness of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea to continue building up mutually beneficial cooperation in various directions on a strategic long- term basis vividly proved.

President of Turkmenistan and President of the Republic of Korea visit Kiyanly polymer plant

On 18 April, 2019, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in, who arrived in Turkmenistan on a state visit, visited the largest industrial enterprise in the Caspian region - Kiyanly polymer plant. From the airport of Turkmenbashi city, the motorcade of the leaders of the two states headed to the Kiyanly Village, where the polymer plant was put into operation last year. The project, amounted to more than 3.400 billion US dollars, was implemented by the Turkmengaz State Concern together with foreign partners - LG International Corp and Hyundai Engineering (Republic of Korea), and TOYO Engineering Corporation (Japan). The production capacity of the ultra-modern complex allows processing five billion cubic meters of natural gas per year and thereby producing 386,000 tons of high-density polyethylene, 81,000 tons of polypropylene. After extracting ethane and propane from natural gas, the remaining 4.5 billion cubic meters of commercial gas are supplied to the pipeline system to be used as fuel. The equipment manufactured in Japan, the Republic of Korea, the USA, the UK, Belgium, Germany, Denmark and other European countries is installed at the plant. It consists of four main technological, fully automated installations: gas separation unit, ethane processing unit, polyethylene production unit and polypropylene production unit.

Leaders of Turkmenistan and Korea assess the capacities of the gas chemical complex in Kiyanly

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President Moon Jae-in examined the polymer plant in Kiyanly. The director of the plant told the heads of states about the organization of work at this large industrial facility. This state-of-the-art gas chemical complex was built at the request of the Turkmengaz State Concern by LG International Corporation and Hyundai Engineering (Republic of Korea) with the participation of TOYO Engineering Corporation (Japan). Hyundai Engineering used the latest software to model the construction of the polymer plant in Kiyanly and monitor all the works. As it is known, the polymer plant in Kiyanly received the certificates of international organizations: “Innovative Technologies” of the Julius Kühn Institute (Germany), “Sustainability and Efficiency” of the Paul Scherrer Research Institute (Switzerland), as well as the certificate of the Environmental Health Trust (USA). The President of the Republic of Korea highly evaluated the technological capacities of the enterprise. Thanking for the opportunity to get acquainted with the work of the gas chemical giant, Moon Jae-in focused on the great prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation in the oil and gas sector.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasizes the contribution of Korean companies to the diversification of the Turkmen industry

Speaking to those present during the visit to the polymer plant in Kiyanly, the President of Turkmenistan thanked all the specialists and builders, who took part in the creation of this large gas and chemical complex. According to the President of Turkmenistan, over the years, Korean companies have made a significant contribution to the development of the chemical and energy industry of Turkmenistan. The commissioning of this gas chemical complex vividly testifies to the close cooperation with the Republic of Korea. The gas processing complex that has no analogues in the region in terms of capacity, is extremely important for the further dynamic development of the national economy, its diversification. It will contribute to the comprehensive industrialization of Turkmenistan, increasing exports of high-quality products in demand on the domestic and global markets. A wide range of products is produced from granulated high-density polyethylene: films of various thicknesses, sheet thermoplastics, pipes of different diameters, packaging materials, threads for artificial carpets, household goods, furniture, toys, etc. At present, large-scale programs are being implemented in Turkmenistan with the aim to digitize the national economy, create a diversified industrial complex, as well as introduce advanced technologies in all sectors. In this area, Turkmenistan closely cooperates with leading international companies. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said: “We will be glad to work with the representatives of Korean business, large companies that build facilities using the most advanced technologies, taking into account the environmental component, train qualified personnel and are interested in an effective and long-term partnership in the promising Turkmen market”.

President of Turkmenistan and President of the Republic of Korea familiarize with polyethylene and polypropylene products

Getting acquainted with the technological capacities of the enterprise, the leaders of the two countries evaluated the range and quality of products manufactured at the polymer plant. The demand for polypropylene and polyethylene grows all around the world due to their unique properties - lightness, durability, environmental friendliness, resistance to high temperatures. Thanks to the development of innovative technologies, their applications widely expand. That is vividly proved by the exhibition of samples of the products manufactured at the gas chemical complex in Kiyanly, which showcased the technological possibilities of production and the prospects for its development. The President of Turkmenistan and the President of the Republic of Korea examined the product samples. Among them are pipe products of a wide profile, packaging materials and containers, films of various thickness, synthetic yarn for manufactured carpets and floor coverings, household accessories, furniture, children's toys, etc. The polypropylene yarn carpets made in the national ornamental style attracted the special attention of President Moon Jae-in. The Head of the Republic of Korea expressed admiration with the quality and design of manufactured carpets.