1. Deputy Minister for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kim Gunn, together with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Vepa Hajiyev, held the 4^th Republic of Korea-Turkmenistan Policy Consultation on October 29 and extensively exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, including follow-up measures to the summit held in Ashgabat in April 2019, preparations for the 13th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum, and cooperation on the international stage.

2. The two sides shared the understanding that the ROK and Turkmenistan have steadily advanced their friendly and cooperative relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992 and noted with appreciation that the implementation of the ROK government’s New Northern Policy and President Moon Jae-in’s state visit to Turkmenistan in 2019 have helped further diversify areas of bilateral cooperation.

° Deputy Minister Kim noted that the ROK-Turkmenistan Business Council, launched as a follow-up on the summit held in 2019, is playing the role of exploring cooperation projects and promoting economic cooperation between the two countries, and voiced hope that Korean companies would continue to take part in various new projects, including the follow-up projects of the Kiyanly gas-chemical plant construction project, a major cooperation project between the two countries.

° Deputy Minister Hajiyev took note that Korean companies have been contributing to Turkmenistan’s policy for the modernization of high value-added industries, as demonstrated by the Kiyanly gas-chemical plant construction project, stated his commitment to cooperate in supporting Korean companies’ entry into Turkmenistan and resolving challenges of Korean companies operating in the country.

° Deputy Minister Kim extended appreciation to the Turkmen government for its cooperation in carrying out pilot Korean-language courses at a regular school and opening a King Sejong Institute in Turkmenistan. He hoped that people, who learn Korean language at such facilities as the King Sejong Institute, would serve as the bridge of the ROK-Turkmenistan relations.

° Deputy Minister Hajiyev expressed gratitude to the ROK government for supporting the diffusion of Taekwondo in Turkmenistan and asked for continued cooperation, including dispatching Taekwondo instructors to the country.

3. The two sides shared the view that the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum, launched in 2007, has built an exemplary framework for multilateral cooperation that promotes substantive cooperation between the ROK and Central Asia in various areas.

° Deputy Minister Kim extended appreciation to Turkmenistan for its active participation in the past 12 meetings of the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum.

° Deputy Minister Hajiyev commended the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum for its great contribution to promoting cooperation between the ROK and Central Asia and stated that Turkmenistan is willing to send high-level officials to the Forum.

4. The two sides attached great significance to the decision that the 13^th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum will be held in both virtual and face-to-face formats considering the COVID-19 situation, maintaining the momentum of the ROK-Central Asia cooperation. They also conveyed satisfaction for holding preparatory meetings at working and vice foreign ministerial levels, enabling systematic preparation for the Forum.

5. The two sides also agreed to continue not only the ROK-Central Asia multilateral cooperation but also cooperation on the international stage, including the United Nations (UN).

° Deputy Minister Hajiyev expressed gratitude to the ROK government and companies for their support in responding to COVID-19 and also showed interest in joining the International Vaccine Institute (IVI)headquartered in the ROK.

6. The 4^th ROK-Turkmenistan Policy Consultation is seen to have served as an opportunity to discuss ways to expand substantive cooperation in each area with Turkmenistan, a key cooperative partner for the ROK’s New Northern Policy, and to review the progress in the preparations for the 13^th ROK-Central Asia Cooperation Forum.