The visit of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to Seoul was in the focus of the media of the Republic of Korea. The Korean printed media published a series of extensive materials on the current economic life of Uzbekistan, its initiatives on the international scene, relations with South Korea.

The Korea Times
The Korea Times published an article titled “Korea and Uzbekistan to strengthen cooperation in energy” which states that during the summit in Cheongwadae President Lee Myung-bak and President Islam Karimov expressed satisfaction with the progress in implementing joint projects to develop Surgil gas field, as well as modernization of the Navoi airport and other infrastructure projects in Uzbekistan.

The article emphasizes that during the visit a package of documents on the joint development of new oil fields in Uzbekistan was signed between the two governments. According to the agreement signed in 2008, South Korea is now carrying out work on the Namangan-Tegachi and Chust-Pap blocks.

Also, an agreement on the construction Seoul Park in Uzbekistan which will become a symbol of deepening relations with Korea was reached.

The park will serve as the preservation of traditional Korean culture and promote friendship between the two countries, the newspaper notes.

President Lee Myung-bak expressed his appreciation for Uzbekistan's support of Korea in its quest to become the host country of Winter Olympic Games in 2018 and the UN Conference on Climate Change in 2012. He also thanked President Islam Karimov for Uzbekistan's participation in the EXPO-2012 exhibition in Yeosu.

According to the Korean newspaper, heads of the two nations shared the view on the need for early resolution of the DPRK nuclear issue, which is the guarantor of stability in Northeast Asia. As sources in the administration of South Korean President informed, President Islam Karimov expressed his support for the efforts of Korea to resume the six-party format of negotiations, the author writes.

Another article of The Korea Times titled “Korea to aid Uzbekistan with $12 million” describes the signing of 4 agreements on economic cooperation.

It is stated that under the agreements, Seoul will provide $12 million to improve the heating system in the northern part of Uzbekistan, for construction of 4 pumping stations by a project aimed at improving the fresh water, as well as projects for desalination of irrigation water and to combat infectious diseases.

The Korea Times also published the statement of ex-Speaker of the Parliament of Korea Lee Mann Sop: “Since 2006, the sides raised the level of cooperation to a higher level by signing the ‘Agreement on establishment of strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea’.

Korea and Uzbekistan are closely cooperating in political, economic and cultural spheres,” pointed out the South Korean politician. “I take this opportunity to once again welcome President Islam Karimov with his visit to South Korea and express confidence that the strategic partnership and friendship between the two nations would continue to develop for the benefit of both countries,” he added.

JoongAng Daily
In its article “Kogas expands cooperation with Uzbekistan”, Korea’s leading English-language newspaper JoongAng Daily noted the importance of the two countries' cooperation in the energy sphere: “While working on Surgil project, the Korean National Gas Corporation (Kogas) plans to make a significant contribution to the economy of Uzbekistan.

The corporation intends to contribute to the construction of a chemical plant at Surgil gas field near the Aral Sea, developed Uzbekneftegaz since 2002.

In 2006 Kogas and Uzbekneftegaz signed a memorandum of understanding, and two years later they established Uz-Kor Gas Chemical joint venture for implementing the Surgil project.

A feasibility study of the chemical plant is expected to be carried out by the end of 2010 in order to start financing the project in the first half of 2011. The plant should be put into operation in early 2015. The project will draw about $4 billion of investments, including $600 million for the gas field development and $2.4 billion for the construction of chemical plant. The facility will annually produce 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas, 380 thousand tons of polyethylene and 80 thousand tons of polypropylene.”

In its article “Deepening Economic and Political Cooperation”, Yonha highly estimated the meeting of heads of two states and wrote: “On February 11 this year, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and President of Korea Lee Myung-bak had a meeting in Seoul, during which the sides discussed measures on further development of bilateral economic and political cooperation.

The negotiations culminated in signing of agreements on the construction of the chemical plant by Republic of Korea and development of Surgil oil and gas field in Uzbekistan. An investment agreement providing for the allocation of $4 billion to implement these projects was also signed. The head of Uzbekistan and President of the Republic of Korea confirmed that the investment agreement on Surgil project is a symbol of close bilateral cooperation.

“The leaders expressed satisfaction with the consistent development of relations between the two countries in various fields, including politics, economy and culture, and confirmed their readiness to make joint efforts to deepen the strategic partnership.

The two leaders also agreed to intensify cooperation in environmental issues, including increasing the production of compressed natural gas,” is said in a joint statement.

President Islam Karimov and President Lee Myung-bak welcomed the signing of the investment agreement on Surgil project and the agreement on joint development of oil fields in Farg’ona and Chinobod. The parties have already carried out geological exploration works in Namangan and Chust. Energy-rich Uzbekistan became a major economic partner of Korea, needs of which in hydrocarbons and minerals is covered by imports on 97%.

As far as regional and global issues are concerned, the parties mentioned the denuclearization of the DPRK. President Islam Karimov expressed his support for South Korea's position to resolve the nuclear issue through the early resumption of negotiations. Tashkent and Seoul also agreed to join efforts to help to rebuild Afghanistan.

IA “Jahon”