(2nd LD) S. Korea, Uzbekistan agree to strengthen ties, cooperation

(ATTN: UPDATES with additional remarks from South Korean, Uzbek presidents in paras
4-8, minor edits)
By Byun Duk-kun
TASHKENT, May 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Uzbek
President Islam Karimov agreed Monday to significantly strengthen ties between
their countries, noting their strategic partnership is mutually beneficial.
The agreement came in a joint statement issued at the end of a summit held here
in the Uzbek capital. Lee arrived here Sunday on a three-day state visit.
"Both sides expressed satisfaction that their bilateral relations in political,
economic, cultural and humanitarian sectors have significantly developed in
recent years and agreed to increase cooperation between their governments,
parliaments, economies and private organizations to further strengthen their
strategic partnership," the joint statement said.
The leaders also agreed to step up their economic and energy cooperation.
"Our bilateral trade increased 80 percent last year to top US$1 billion, proving
close cooperation between the two countries. I wish to see such dynamic changes
also in other areas, such as our political, economic, social an cultural
relations," the Uzbek president said at the beginning of his meeting with Lee.
"This visit here by President Lee shows the firm commitment by us ... to mutual
trust and friendship," he added.
Lee replied with a call for increased cooperation.
"Our economic relationship began to grow last year. It will still grow more
significantly -- though the world economy is going through difficult times -- if
our two countries join efforts," Lee said.
The South Korean president sought increased support for Seoul's energy security
as he and Karimov later attended a ceremony where South Korean and Uzbek
businesses signed a total of 16 agreements that will give South Korea priority in
developing Uzbekistan's new oil and gas fields.
Seoul will boost its economic assistance to Tashkent, introducing a new
employment program to allow more Uzbek workers into the South Korean economy, the
world's 13th-largest, according to the joint statement issued at the end of the
Lee-Karimov summit.
Lee and Karimov will head to Uzbekistan's ancient city of Samarkand Tuesday for a
brief tour. The South Korean president will leave for Kazakhstan later that day
for a three-day state visit.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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