May 13, 2008
Politics:
President of Uzbekistan receives Prime Minister of South Korea
President Islam Karimov receives head of Korean Air
Uzbekistan, South Korea sign cooperation documents
Economics:
South Korean Prime Minister visits Kalmakir deposit of AGMK
Uzbek-Korean business forum held in Tashkent
Paris-Urgench flight to be launched from 1 September
Society:
Uzbekistan Marks Memory and Honor Day
ISCS initiates creation of voluntary environment protection team
UWED Legal Clinic holds competition among students
UWED Students to Learn About Japanese Tea Making & Ikebana
POLICY
PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN RECEIVES PRIME MINISTER OF SOUTH KOREA
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Han Seung-Soo on May 12 at the Oqsaroy residence.
“The fact that the new Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea started his foreign trips from the official visit to Uzbekistan is an important event in bilateral relations,” said the head of the state. “We consider your visit as a sign of special attention to our strengthening cooperation.”
Han Seung-Soo said his country highly valued the relations with Uzbekistan and was interested in further expansion of cooperation, UzA reported.
Relations between Uzbekistan and South Korea are based on the principles of strategic partnership. President Islam Karimov visited Seoul in February 2008 and participated in the official inauguration ceremony of the newly elected President Lee Myung-Bak, as well as held a series of negotiations. Lee Myung-Bak stressed that the Republic of Korea considered Uzbekistan a traditionally friendly country and was interested in the development of relations. The sides have similar views on expanding political, economic and humanitarian cooperation, as well as international and regional issues.
The similarity of views of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea on political matters creates good preconditions for the development of cooperation on the international arena. Uzbekistan supported the candidacy of Ban Ki-Moon to the post of the UN Secretary-General. The Republic of Korea supports the entry of Uzbekistan to the World Trade Organization.
The Republic of Korea is a major trade and economic partner of Uzbekistan in Southeast Asia. In 2007, trade turnover between the two countries exceeded USD 850 million. This year the figure is expected to reach USD 1 billion. The development of business relationships and new conditions for increased flow of investments creates good opportunities for this. Moreover, during the Seoul summit, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met the heads of Korean Air and Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS). At the negotiations, the agreement was reached on attracting investment into the economy of Uzbekistan in the amount of about USD 2 billion.
Friendship society Uzbekistan-Republic of Korea and the Korean Education Center play an important role in the development of humanitarian cooperation. The Uzbek State University of World Languages and Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages have Korean language and culture centers. Nine higher educational establishments of Uzbekistan have Korean Studies departments, while 112 schools teach Korean language. Relations between the science academies, ministries of health, education, labor and others are developing steadily.
PRESIDENT ISLAM KARIMOV RECEIVES HEAD OF KOREAN AIR
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received the chairman of the Korean Air Yang-Ho Cho on May 10 at the Oqsaroy residence in Tashkent.
During the visit of the President of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Korea this February a memorandum of cooperation between the national air company O‘zbekiston Havo Yo‘llari and Korean Air was signed. The document envisages expansion of practical partnership in the development of new markets, development of logistics infrastructure in Uzbekistan, exchange of experience in the management of civil aviation and personnel training, UzA reported.
The Korean Air occupies the first place in the world in air cargo transportation. In accordance with the agreement reached during the visit of Islam Karimov to South Korea, O‘zbekiston Havo Yo‘llari on the proposal of Korean Air will join the international aviation alliance Sky Team during 2008-2009.
This alliance, uniting the world’s largest airlines, controls 35% of the passenger and cargo transportation market. Cooperation with Sky Team will open new opportunities for further integration of O‘zbekiston Havo Yo‘llari in the international air transportation system, held to improve security and ensure the regularity of flights.
During the talks at the Oqsaroy residence, the sides exchanged opinions on issues related to further development of cooperation between O‘zbekiston Havo Yo‘llari and Korean Air.
UZBEKISTAN, SOUTH KOREA SIGN COOPERATION DOCUMENTS
Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Han Seung-Soo met in Tashkent on May 12. The sides considered issues of expansion of economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
The prime ministers signed an intergovernmental framework agreement to provide long-term soft loans worth USD 120 million of the Economic Cooperation Development Fund for the period 2008-2011. Cooperation documents were also signed between the agencies for standardization, science, geology, oil and gas companies, as well as Asakabank of Uzbekistan and Eximbank of South Korea.
Relations between Uzbekistan and South Korea are developing intensively in almost all areas, particularly in the fields of oil and gas, energy, aircraft, engineering, commerce, industry, education, transport and transport communications, health, agriculture, electrical engineering. The volume of trade turnover in 2007 exceeded USD 850 million. More than 300 joint ventures established with participation of Korean investors operate in Uzbekistan. Over 70 South Korean companies have their representative offices in the country.
The prime ministers of Uzbekistan and Korea met representatives of business circles of the two countries. The Korean businessmen got acquainted with the privatization process and reforms in small business and private enterprise in Uzbekistan. They discussed expanding ties in engineering, oil and gas, energy, trade, banking and financial sectors and greater involvement of South Korean companies in privatization in Uzbekistan.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Han Seung-Soo also took part in the opening ceremony of the UzKorGasChemical joint venture on Surgil project. The company specializes in geological and exploration works at Surgil mine on the Ustyurt plateau, exploitation of deposits, producing polyethylene and polypropylene. It was established according to the memorandum of understanding signed between the Korea Gas Corporation and the national holding company Uzbekneftegaz during the state visit of the President Islam Karimov to the Republic of Korea in March 2006. The total cost of the project amounts to USD 1.84 billion.
On Sunday, Han Seung-Soo, accompanied by Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev, visited Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex (AGMK) in Tashkent region. AGMK combines four enterprises producing ore raw materials, two metallurgical plant for the production of acid sulphate, mechanical-repair and lime plants, numerous subsidiary shop. 70% of its production is exported abroad.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea visited Mustaqillik (Independence) Square in the center of Uzbek capital and laid flowers to the Monument of Independence and Humanism, a symbol of freedom, bright future and noble aspirations.
Han Seung-Soo also held talks with Chairman of Senate of Oliy Majlis Ilgizar Sabirov, which focused on the current state and prospects of cooperation between the supreme legislative bodies of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea.
ECONOMY
SOUTH KOREAN PRIME MINISTER VISITS KALMAKIR DEPOSIT OF AGMK
Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Han Seung-Soo, who is on an official visit to Uzbekistan, visited the Kalmakir deposit of the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex (AGMK) in Tashkent region on May 11.
Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev accompanied him on the visit.
Han Seung-Soo familiarized himself with the activity of the complex, the production process and the working conditions.
AGMK combines four enterprises producing raw ore, two metallurgical plants producing acid sulphate, a mechanical-repair plant and a limestone plant, as well as numerous subsidiary shops and divisions. 70% of AGMK’s production is exported abroad.
UZBEK-KOREAN BUSINESS FORUM HELD IN TASHKENT
The forum of business circles of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea was held in Tashkent on 12 May in the framework of the official visit of the South Korean Prime Minister. The participants considered expansion of Uzbek-Korean trade, economic and investment cooperation.
Heads of ministries and departments, companies and corporations related to foreign economic relations, fuel and energy sector, banking and finance, trade, construction, engineering, food, natural resources, chemistry, information technologies, transport and transport communications attended the forum.
The Korean businessmen were provided with detailed information on the conditions of investment in the Uzbek economy, the privatization process, reforms in the economy and development of the small business and private enterprise.
In 2007, the volume of trade turnover between the two countries exceeded USD 850 million. In Uzbekistan, with participation of Korean investment, operate 313 joint ventures and offices of 73 companies operate. They function in sectors like engineering, commerce, chemicals, food processing, light industry, metal processing, health, tourism and service.
The forum was attended by about 100 representatives of over 50 major South Korean companies.
The members of the South Korean delegation also visited a number of ministries and departments of Uzbekistan and held talks there.
PARIS-URGENCH FLIGHT TO BE LAUNCHED FROM 1 SEPTEMBER
O‘zbekiston Havo Yo‘llari, national air company of Uzbekistan, and Air France reached an agreement on opening of the Paris-Urgench-Paris route.
The flight, starting from 1 September, will operate once a week.
A Boeing-757 plane conducted a technical flight recently from Paris to Urgench.
A representative of the Air France said the new flight would contribute to tourism development and strengthen relations between the two countries.
SOCIETY
UZBEKISTAN MARKS MEMORY AND HONOR DAY
Uzbekistan celebrates the Day of Memory and Honor on May 9.
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov laid a wreath to the Monument of Grieving Mother in the center of Tashkent on this day.
The head of the state rendered a tribute to the memory of thousands of compatriots who lost their lives during the World War II.
“There is no family in Uzbekistan that was not affected by the war,” said Islam Karimov.
“The Uzbek people made a great contribution to this victory. 1.5 million people from Uzbekistan fought in the war, and more than 450,000 had died. We will never forget them,” he said.
“We should bow to the memory of the fallen and honor the living. This should be an integral part of the life of our youth and all people,” he added.
ISCS INITIATES CREATION OF VOLUNTARY ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION TEAM
The Regional Branch of the Institute for Study of Civil Society (ISCS) has conducted a training on the "Possible participation of youth and NGOs in solving issues on environment protection" in Economic College, Chimbay, Karakalpakstan.
The main purpose of this workshop was to extend the knowledge of the youth on environment protection and to initiate the creation of voluntary environment protection teams in districts, the ISCS Information Group said.
The workshop participants said that the main problem for the youth was the garbage scattered everywhere and soil pollution. They positively apprehended an idea on creating the so-called "green patrol" i.e. voluntary environment protection team.
UWED LEGAL CLINIC HOLDS COMPETITION AMONG STUDENTS
Legal Clinic under the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) launched a team competition among its students on civil processes on 11 May 2008.
The competition will be held in three stages. Six teams are taking part in the first stage and four teams will qualify to the next stage. Two winners of the semi-finals will participate in the final of the contest.
The contest aimed at development of skills of Legal Clinic students on civil processes, including preparation of documents for courts, collection and presentation of evidences, presentation skills, adhering to legal procedures and existing legislation. The competition will be focused on property rights.
High skilled legal specialists will act as judges at the moot courts. Totally, 28 students of the UWED Legal Clinic are attending the competition. Eight students of Legal Clinic under Tashkent city branch of the Uzbekistan Bar Association were invited as jury.
The competition is organized by UNDP project "Legal Aid and Legal Literacy for Better Access to Justice". The project is directed at improving access to justice for people who cannot afford or have limited access to legal services, including women, children, the poor, the elderly and people with disabilities and increasing quality of legal services through training of law students.
UWED STUDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT JAPANESE TEA MAKING & IKEBANA
On May 13 and 14 this year the Japanese Language Center at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy in Tashkent will host the event for the students to learn about the main traditions of the Japanese culture, and particularly, the art of tea ceremony and ikebana.
The Embassy of Japan to the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Uzbek-Japanese Human Resources Development Center are the organizers of the said event, according to the press release by Embassy of Japan in Tashkent.
The event at UWED will shed a full light on the tea making ceremony and art of arrangement of flowers with demonstration of a video. Besides, the partakers of the event under the leadership of masters will be able on their own to prepare the Japanese tea and make a composition of flowers.