1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang, Kyung-wha met with her counterparts from the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Republic of Tajikistan on the occasion of the 13th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum held in Seoul on November 25, and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, including bilateral relations, substantive cooperation, and cooperation on the international stage.

o The Foreign Ministers of the Central Asian countries expressed active support for the Korean Peninsula peace process and the New Northern Policy, and the two sides shared the view that the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum is playing an important role in strengthening multilateral cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Central Asia.

o The Foreign Ministers of the Central Asian countries stated that it was the ROK’s advanced technologies and efficient policy for disease prevention and control that made the 13th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum in a face-to-face format possible even amid the COVID-19 pandemic. They added that the 13th Forum served as an opportunity to reaffirm the strong trust and friendship between the ROK and Central Asian countries.

2. In the meeting between Minister Kang and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov, the two Ministers noted with appreciation that cooperation between the two countries has further deepened since the bilateral relations were upgraded to the “special strategic partnership” on the occasion of President Moon Jae-in’s state visit to Uzbekistan in April last year and that even amid COVID-19, the two countries are actively cooperating, including joint response to COVID-19 and expansion of substantive cooperation, through two phone conversations between the leaders of the two countries as well as face-to-face and virtual exchanges.

o Foreign Minister Kamilov expressed appreciation to the ROK, mentioning that the ROK’s assistance including dispatch of medical experts and provision of equipment for disease prevention and control was of great help in Uzbekistan’s response to COVID-19.

o Minister Kang expressed appreciation to the Uzbek government for swiftly providing support, including medical personnel and medicines, in responding to the COVID-19 cluster infections that occurred in October at Arirang Nursing Home in Uzbekistan (where around 40 first-generation ethnic Koreans are living). In addition, Minister Kang suggested that the two countries continue to work closely together in COVID-19 response, including cooperation in developing vaccines and ensuring their equitable distribution.

3. In her meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Minister Kang noted that the strategic partnership between the two countries made a new leap forward through President Moon Jae-in’s visit to Kazakhstan last year.

o The two Ministers took note that the two countries have been smoothly carrying out follow-up measures to President Moon’s visit, including implementing the new bilateral economic cooperation program “Fresh Wind” through virtual exchanges such as the phone conversation between the leaders last month and the virtual joint economic committee meeting between the ministers of industry. They also agreed to expand and deepen cooperation in health and information and communications to respond to COVID-19.

4. In the meeting between Minister Kang and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Sirodjiddin Muhriddin, the two Ministers noted with appreciation that since the ROK Prime Minister’s first official visit to Tajikistan last year, the bilateral relations have made big progress, and agreed to reinforce cooperation in implementing the follow-up measures.

o Minister Kang expressed gratitude to Minister Muhriddin for visiting the ROK to attend the 13th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

o The two sides expressed hope that the development cooperation between the two countries would gain momentum based on the framework agreement on grants concluded during the ROK Prime Minister’s visit to Tajikistan in July last year. They also agreed to continue to explore ways to promote mutually-beneficial substantive cooperation through intergovernmental consultative channels including the bilateral joint economic committee.

o The two Ministers signed a cooperation program between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries and agreed to expand exchanges between the Foreign Ministries under the cooperation program.

- The two sides welcomed the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the diplomatic training institutions of the two countries to share experiences in training for diplomatic personnel.