On the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan held a meeting with the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, on September 18. The Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan provided insights into the discussions during this important diplomatic encounter.
During the meeting, President Berdimuhamedov expressed his confidence that the ongoing negotiations would pave the way for the development of fresh avenues in bilateral relations and provide an effective boost to their continued expansion. The relationship between Turkmenistan and South Korea has been marked by proactive engagement and steady growth.
Both nations have actively cultivated their partnership, not only bilaterally but also within international organizations, with a significant focus on their constructive collaboration within the United Nations. Their partnership has primarily revolved around initiatives aimed at achieving lasting peace, sustainable development, and security.
The diplomats present at the meeting also highlighted the successful cooperation between the two countries within the Central Asia – Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum. Turkmenistan is set to host the 16th meeting of this forum in Ashgabat in November, and the outcomes of this gathering are expected to further align Turkmenistan and South Korea’s joint efforts in regional economic, cultural, and humanitarian projects.
Furthermore, the importance of parliamentary diplomacy was underscored during the discussions. Mutual high-level visits and exchanges between Turkmenistan and South Korea have bolstered cooperation in this sphere. These include the visit of Chairman of the People’s Assembly of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to South Korea in November 2022, the visit of Chairman of the National Assembly of South Korea, Kim Jin-pyo, to Turkmenistan in July 2023, and a parliamentary delegation’s visit to South Korea to partake in an inter-parliamentary forum. These interactions have elevated Turkmen-Korean cooperation to new heights.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their joint efforts to elevate Turkmen-Korean relations to a qualitatively higher level. This meeting served as a testament to the growing bond and collaboration between Turkmenistan and South Korea, emphasizing their shared commitment to international stability and development.