Uzbek, S. Korean presidents discuss bilateral ties

TASHKENT. Sept 24 (Interfax) - Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with his South Korean counterpart Lee Jae-myung on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Uzbek leader's press service said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The sides discussed ways to further strengthen Uzbek-Korean relations of special strategic partnership and to expand their multifaceted cooperation," the statement said.

Over the past few years, bilateral cooperation has been brought to a high level and dynamic exchanges have been developing at all levels, the sides said, adding that mutual trade has shown stable growth as well. South Korean companies' direct investment in the Uzbek economy has topped $8 billion, according to the statement.

Mirziyoyev highly assessed Uzbekistan's years-long productive cooperation with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Export-Import Bank of Korea and other funds, the overall portfolio of projects with which stands at $3.5 billion, it said.

Uzbekistan and South Korea also agreed to develop a new long-term program of their technological and industrial partnership, including projects in advanced raw material processing, chemistry, machine building, agriculture, transport, aviation, biotechnologies, and other priority areas, according to the statement.

Regional interaction, including contacts in the Central Asia-Republic of Korea format, was discussed as well.

Mirziyoyev also met with Czech President Petr Pavel, President of Albania Bajram Begaj and King Abdullah II of Jordan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly's 80th session. They discussed ways to make cooperation between their countries stronger and exchanged views on current regional and international issues," the statement said.