Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 24 October 2022, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov, as part of the heads of delegations of Central Asian countries who arrived in Seoul to participate in the 15th Central Asia-Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum, met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Han Duck-soo.

The head of the South Korean government noted that over 30 years of diplomatic relations between South Korea and the countries of Central Asia, a high level of mutual understanding and trust has been achieved, cooperation is characterized by active dynamics in trade, investment, science and technology.

It was emphasized that the Korean side attaches great importance to the practical implementation of the agreements reached following the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Seoul in December 2021.

The Korean side noted the importance of the speedy completion of the negotiation process to conclude a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.

The parties mutually stressed the need to further enhance cooperation in the health sector, which in recent years has acquired a truly strategic character.

The Prime Minister expressed interest in the participation of Korean companies in the field of the textile industry within the framework of the cotton industrial clusters created in the republic.

According to Han Duck-soo, the large-scale democratic socio-economic reforms carried out in Uzbekistan in recent years, as well as in the field of improving legislation to stimulate entrepreneurship and improve the business environment, are a good signal for foreign investors, including Korean ones, to expand their presence in Uzbek market.