National Assembly Speaker Discusses Economic Cooperation with Tajik and Kyrgyz Leaders
National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik met successively on the 17th at the National Assembly with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, who are visiting South Korea to attend the Korea-Central Asia Summit, to discuss ways to expand economic cooperation with both countries. The meetings followed the first Korea-Central Asia Summit held the previous day.
In his meeting with President Rahmon, Speaker Cho said, "I highly value the establishment of a 'comprehensive partnership' between our two countries," adding, "I welcome the establishment of a 'Korea Desk' within the Tajik Ministry of Foreign Affairs dedicated to supporting Korean companies." Noting that "the two countries have complementary economic structures, giving them enormous potential for cooperation," he expressed hope for expanded cooperation leveraging Korean technology in projects to improve transportation and logistics systems, as well as in mineral resources, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital fields. Speaker Cho also noted that the number of Koreans visiting Tajikistan has grown sharply recently, expressing hope that the currently discussed direct flight route between Seoul and Dushanbe, the Tajik capital, will further invigorate exchanges between the two peoples.
President Rahmon responded, "Dialogue between parliaments plays a very important role in expanding relations between our countries," saying, "I hope that parliamentary relations will develop to a higher level through measures such as revitalizing exchanges between the friendship associations of lawmakers from both countries."
In his talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Speaker Cho noted, "Bilateral trade last year doubled compared to the previous year, making Kyrgyzstan Korea's second-largest trading partner in Central Asia." He added that efforts are underway to establish a 'Korea Desk' in Kyrgyzstan and open a KOTRA trade office in Bishkek.
Speaker Cho congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and emphasized bilateral cooperation for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. He also noted that next year marks the 90th anniversary of ethnic Koreans settling in Central Asia, and expressed gratitude for Kyrgyzstan's support in repatriating the remains of Choi Jae-hyung's wife, Elena Choi, in 2023.
President Japarov replied, "Trade between Korea and Kyrgyzstan has grown by more than 90% over the past six years," noting that cooperation is being carried out broadly across politics, the economy, investment, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. He stressed the importance of continuing practical cooperation at the parliamentary level.
