The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, will pay a state visit to the Republic of Korea and take part in the first ‘Central Asia–Republic of Korea’ Summit. R. Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Affairs Minister, reported on preparations for the visit at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on 11 September.

According to the news agency TDH, a number of inter-state, inter-governmental and inter-departmental documents are due to be signed during the visit, aimed at developing cooperation in the fields of the economy, investment, transport, logistics, the chemical industry, infrastructure, industrial construction, the environment, water management, science and education.

It was noted that diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea were established in 1992. Since then, the countries have concluded 118 inter-state, inter-governmental and inter-departmental agreements.

High-level contacts play an important role in bilateral relations. In recent years, there have been five state, official and working visits by Heads of State. In November 2022, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Hero Arkadag, visited the Republic of Korea.

Trade and economic cooperation is developing. Seventeen investment projects involving Korean companies have been registered in Turkmenistan. Major projects that have been completed include a sulphur purification complex at the ‘Galkynyş’ gas field and a gas-chemical complex for the production of polyethylene and polypropylene in the settlement of Kiyanly.

In 2008, the Turkmen-Korean Inter-governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Co-operation was established. To date, nine meetings of the Commission have been held.

The parties also cooperate in the fields of science, education, culture and other social and humanitarian areas.

Multilateral cooperation is developing within the framework of the ‘Central Asia – Republic of Korea’ Forum, established in 2007 on the initiative of the Korean side. In 2023, Turkmenistan chaired the Forum, and its 16th meeting took place in Ashgabat.

Having heard the report, Serdar Berdimuhamedov instructed the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Affairs Minister, R. Meredov, to ensure preparations for the state visit and participation in the Summit.