ID :
60517
Thu, 05/14/2009 - 11:30
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/60517
The shortlink copeid
Lee wraps up Central Asia trip with hope for recovery, growth
By Byun Duk-kun
ASTANA, May 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak concluded his
visit here Thursday after winning pledges for new business opportunities for
Korean firms and larger shares of Kazakhstan's fuel and natural resources.
Lee will return home later Thursday, wrapping up his two-nation Central Asia trip
that included a three-day visit to Uzbekistan earlier in the week.
His trip had largely sought to lay the groundwork for increasing Seoul's energy
security, but he also ended up with what South Korean officials called
"unexpected gifts," including the start of negotiations for a deal to introduce a
South Korean wireless broadband Internet service here.
The deal, if signed, will likely top over US$1 billion, according to Lee
Dong-kwan, the president's spokesman.
President Lee said such cooperation will not only see the countries through the
global economic crisis, but also give them a new competitive edge that will
prepare them for the future.
"Both of our countries are undergoing difficulties in the face of the global
economic crisis. This is when we need to establish a strategic relationship to
form a joint front against the economic crisis," the South Korean head of state
said Wednesday in a meeting with Korean and Kazakh business representatives.
South Korea has also agreed to provide US$17.6 million to Uzbekistan from its
Economic Development Cooperation Fund to help build a new sewage system in the
country's southwestern city of Navoiy. Seoul and Tashkent also signed a
multi-billion-dollar deal to jointly develop new oil and gas fields in
Uzbekistan.
Lee's trip to the region put to the test Seoul's new diplomatic campaign, the
so-called New Asia Initiative, under which South Korea aims to significantly
improve its relations with other Asian nations and to promote their mutual
interests in the international community.
Kazakhstan welcomed the initiative, agreeing to upgrade its relationship with
South Korea to a "strategic partnership," while Uzbek President Islam Karimov
said he fully supported and welcomed Seoul's leadership.
"I believe the 'New Asia Initiative' advocated by President Lee is a very timely
proposal that will lead to the joint development of all Asian nations," Karimov
said in a joint conference with Lee following their summit Monday.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
ASTANA, May 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak concluded his
visit here Thursday after winning pledges for new business opportunities for
Korean firms and larger shares of Kazakhstan's fuel and natural resources.
Lee will return home later Thursday, wrapping up his two-nation Central Asia trip
that included a three-day visit to Uzbekistan earlier in the week.
His trip had largely sought to lay the groundwork for increasing Seoul's energy
security, but he also ended up with what South Korean officials called
"unexpected gifts," including the start of negotiations for a deal to introduce a
South Korean wireless broadband Internet service here.
The deal, if signed, will likely top over US$1 billion, according to Lee
Dong-kwan, the president's spokesman.
President Lee said such cooperation will not only see the countries through the
global economic crisis, but also give them a new competitive edge that will
prepare them for the future.
"Both of our countries are undergoing difficulties in the face of the global
economic crisis. This is when we need to establish a strategic relationship to
form a joint front against the economic crisis," the South Korean head of state
said Wednesday in a meeting with Korean and Kazakh business representatives.
South Korea has also agreed to provide US$17.6 million to Uzbekistan from its
Economic Development Cooperation Fund to help build a new sewage system in the
country's southwestern city of Navoiy. Seoul and Tashkent also signed a
multi-billion-dollar deal to jointly develop new oil and gas fields in
Uzbekistan.
Lee's trip to the region put to the test Seoul's new diplomatic campaign, the
so-called New Asia Initiative, under which South Korea aims to significantly
improve its relations with other Asian nations and to promote their mutual
interests in the international community.
Kazakhstan welcomed the initiative, agreeing to upgrade its relationship with
South Korea to a "strategic partnership," while Uzbek President Islam Karimov
said he fully supported and welcomed Seoul's leadership.
"I believe the 'New Asia Initiative' advocated by President Lee is a very timely
proposal that will lead to the joint development of all Asian nations," Karimov
said in a joint conference with Lee following their summit Monday.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
