Emomali Rahmon, Lee Jae Myung Discuss Strengthening Tajikistan–South Korea Relations
Dushanbe, The Gulf Observer: High-level talks between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Korea were held in Seoul on September 16 as part of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon’s official visit to the Republic of Korea.
The talks between President Emomali Rahmon and President Lee Jae Myung focused on strengthening and expanding bilateral relations and cooperation across various sectors.
At the outset, President Rahmon expressed gratitude to the Korean side for the invitation to undertake an official visit and participate in the first Summit of Heads of State in the “Central Asia–Republic of Korea” format.
The strengthening of friendly relations with the Republic of Korea was described as an important priority of Tajikistan’s foreign policy. The two sides highlighted historical ties, long-standing friendship and shared humanitarian values between the peoples of Tajikistan and South Korea.
The leaders noted that active high-level and intergovernmental dialogue has contributed significantly to the development of multifaceted relations between the two friendly countries.
President Rahmon emphasized that a solid legal framework for bilateral relations has been established between Tajikistan and South Korea.
The talks identified trade and economic cooperation, investment, industry, energy, transport and logistics, digitalization, technology and artificial intelligence, agriculture, labor migration, environmental protection and tourism as priority areas.
The Tajik side stressed the importance of greater participation by business communities, attracting Korean direct investment and introducing advanced Korean technologies in Tajikistan.
The leaders supported the opening of a representative office of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in Tajikistan. Particular attention was also given to the activities of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation and the effective use of the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) to expand trade and economic ties.
The two sides welcomed the first Tajikistan–Korea Critical Minerals Forum, held in Seoul in August, which presented investment opportunities in Tajikistan’s mineral resource processing sector.
Active participation by relevant Korean institutions and investors in implementing Tajikistan’s strategic projects was considered beneficial. The importance of continuing the third phase of the “Rural Development of Tajikistan” project, which has been implemented in cooperation with South Korea since 2021, was also emphasized.
President Rahmon highlighted South Korea’s contribution to social development programs in Tajikistan, the training of highly qualified specialists and the development of human capital through educational and academic programs and state-funded scholarships for Tajik citizens.
In this context, Tajikistan proposed increasing the number of scholarships, particularly in information technology, artificial intelligence, medicine, aviation and engineering. The sides also emphasized expanding cooperation in tourism and establishing direct air links between Tajikistan and South Korea.
Other key issues discussed included financial support for the construction of the main building of the Republican Scientific Center for Oncology, cooperation under joint initiatives, and South Korea’s initiative on the “Central Asia–Korea Partnership Vision for Artificial Intelligence, Science and Technology.”
The leaders also discussed further development of cooperation in tourism, particularly in improving tourism infrastructure.
Climate change and environmental issues were also on the agenda, including cooperation in addressing the consequences of climate change, the rapid melting of glaciers, implementation of environmental programs and protection of biodiversity.
The talks further covered a number of issues related to the regional and international situation.
At the conclusion of the high-level talks, President Emomali Rahmon invited President Lee Jae Myung to pay a visit to Tajikistan at a time convenient for him.
