1. On November 25, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun met with First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Nuran Niyazaliev, who is on a visit to the Republic of Korea to attend the 13th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum, and discussed bilateral relations, cooperation in COVID-19 response, and substantive cooperation.

2. Vice Minister Choi said that the ROK government is actively pursuing the New Northern Policy as one of its key policy agenda and especially making all-out efforts to strengthen cooperation with Central Asian countries including Kyrgyzstan.

o Deputy Minister Niyazaliev stated that Kyrgyzstan is fully supporting the ROK’s New Northern Policy and that the ROK Prime Minister’s visit to Kyrgyzstan in 2019 served as an important turning point for the development of the bilateral relations. He also expressed hope that the two countries would reinforce cooperation in all areas ranging from political, economic, cultural and education sectors to cooperation at international organizations.

o The two sides also discussed ways to realize the potential for bilateral cooperation in various areas including trade, people-to-people exchange, education, and agriculture.

3. In addition, the two sides shared the view that even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries are continuing close collaboration including supporting the repatriation of Korean nationals and providing humanitarian assistance, and agreed to continue cooperation on COVID-19.

o Vice Minister Choi expressed appreciation to Kyrgyzstan for cooperating on the operation of temporary direct flights to support the repatriation of Korean nationals even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

4. The two sides shared the view that the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum launched in 2007 has contributed to enhancing cooperation between the ROK and Central Asian countries. They also expressed congratulations on the success of the 13th Forum and agreed to work together towards continued development of the Forum.

o Furthermore, Vice Minister Choi hoped that the 1st Korea-Central Asia Business Council Meeting to be held on November 26 on the occasion of the Forum would help expand exchanges between the business people of the ROK and Central Asian countries.