As part of the state visit by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, to the Republic of Korea, high-level negotiations were held on 15 September with the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae-myung. The parties discussed the development of cooperation in the political and diplomatic, trade and economic, transport, humanitarian, scientific and educational, and other areas, according to the news agency TDH.

On 14 September, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov arrived in the Republic of Korea on a state visit.

During the visit, the Head of State visited the National Memorial Complex of the Republic of Korea, where he laid a wreath at the monument to Korea’s national heroes and signed the Guest Book.

An official welcoming ceremony for the President of Turkmenistan took place at the Cheong Wa Dae Palace. Following this, the Heads of State held a one-on-one meeting, after which negotiations continued in an expanded format with the participation of delegations from both countries.

President Lee Jae-myung noted the dynamic development of Turkmen-Korean relations and expressed interest in further expanding cooperation. He also thanked Turkmenistan for its support and for providing the opportunity for citizens of the Republic of Korea to transit through the country’s territory during a period of political turmoil in the region.

The President of Turkmenistan emphasised the significance of the state visit for further strengthening inter-state dialogue. The Head of State noted the important role of the Republic of Korea as a partner of Turkmenistan in the Asia-Pacific region.

Particular attention was paid during the negotiations to trade and economic cooperation. The parties discussed prospects for cooperation in investment, energy, industry, the chemical sector, rail transport, artificial intelligence, science and technology, water resource management and the environment.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov highlighted the involvement of South Korean companies in major projects in Turkmenistan, including projects in the transport sector, shipbuilding and the creation of a medical cluster in the city of Arkadag.

The parties also discussed the development of transport, transit and logistics infrastructure along the East–West and North–South routes, as well as the participation of South Korean companies in these projects.

Particular attention was paid to cooperation in the fields of culture, science and education. In particular, they highlighted cultural exchanges, the organisation of Culture Days, the development of links between higher education institutions, the exchange of students, lecturers and academics, as well as joint educational programmes.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov invited President Lee Jae-myung to visit Turkmenistan next year.

During the visit, a ceremony was held to exchange bilateral documents. These included agreements and memoranda of understanding on cooperation in the fields of investment, customs, the chemical industry, water resource management, youth policy, intellectual property, law and justice, combating transnational organised crime, police cooperation, infrastructure, rail transport, the environment and combating climate change.

A separate package of documents was signed between government agencies, universities and companies from both countries. The documents provide for cooperation in oil refining, road transport, telecommunications, water management, shipbuilding, civil aviation, education, science, academic exchanges, culture and the information sector.

As part of the visit, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov visited Sungkyunkwan University. A ceremony was held at the university to confer upon the Head of State of Turkmenistan the title of ‘Honorary Doctor of Political Science’.

The President of Turkmenistan thanked the leadership of Sungkyunkwan University for conferring the title and highlighted the importance of educational cooperation between the two countries.

According to the Head of State, particular attention is being paid to the development of joint programmes in the fields of artificial intelligence, engineering, energy, digital technologies and industrial management.

Bilateral meetings were also held during the visit between members of the government delegations of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea. The parties discussed the further development of cooperation in the political and diplomatic, trade and economic, and cultural and humanitarian spheres.

Next year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea. The parties expressed their interest in the further development of bilateral cooperation.

The State visit of the President of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Korea is continuing.