S. Korea, Uzbekistan to deepen economic, political cooperation

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Feb. 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Uzbekistan on Thursday signed accords
on building a chemicals plant and developing a gas field in the Central Asian
country, after their leaders held a summit in Seoul to discuss measures to
further boost bilateral economic and political cooperation.
The two countries signed a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) on their
US$4-billion project to build a chemicals plant and develop a gas field in the
Uzbek region of Surgil, South Korea's presidential office said.
In their summit here, President Lee Myung-bak and his Uzbek counterpart Islam
Karimov agreed that the signing of the BIT on the Surgil project is the latest
symbol of the two countries' closer partnership. Karimov arrived here on
Wednesday on a three-day trip to reciprocate Lee's trip to Tashkent in May last
year.
"The leaders expressed satisfaction over the consistent development of the two
countries' relations in various fields including politics, economy, and culture,
and reaffirmed their will to make joint efforts to deepen a strategic
partnership," read a joint press release issued after the summit.
Lee and Karimov welcomed the signing of the BIT on the Surgil project and fresh
deals on joint exploration of oil fields in West Fergana and Chinabad in
Uzbekistan, it added. South Korea and Uzbekistan are already working together to
explore the Namangan and Chust oil fields.
Energy-rich Uzbekistan has emerged as South Korea's major economic partner. South
Korea, a leading Asian economy, imports 97 percent of its energy and minerals
needs.
"The leaders also agreed to boost cooperation on the green growth sector
including the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)," the joint statement said. The CNG, a
fossil fuel, is environment-friendly substitute for gasoline, diesel, or propane
fuel.
The South Korean president reaffirmed his pledge to expand official development
assistance for the Central Asian country eager to develop the health and medical
industry, the education sector, and infrastructure as well as learn South Korea's
experience in rapid economic growth and its macroeconomic policy.
On regional and global issues, they agreed to the importance of the "complete and
verifiable denuclearization" of North Korea in Northeast Asian security.
President Karimov expressed support for the South Korean government's position to
resolve the nuclear crisis through the prompt resumption of the six-way talks,
according to the joint press release.
The two sides also agreed to join hands for helping reconstruct Afghanistan.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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