[Unofficial Translation] 

It is a great pleasure to visit Turkmenistan for the first time since I entered into office.

I would like to extend my deep gratitude to President Berdimuhamedov and the people of Turkmenistan for inviting me as a state guest and providing me with a warm welcome.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, Korea and Turkmenistan have achieved remarkable development in our bilateral relations centered around energy and industrial plant projects.

Today, I held talks with President Berdimuhamedov and agreed to strengthen our existing cooperation as well as expand its scope in a future-oriented manner, thereby further deepening and developing our mutually beneficial partnership.

First, we will continue to strengthen cooperation in energy and industrial plant projects, areas which have been driving our bilateral partnership.

We agreed to promote further cooperation based on two agreements signed during this visit; the “Framework Agreement on Natural Gas Processing Facility of the IV stage of the Galkynysh Field,” and the “Cooperation Agreement on the Successful Start-Up and Stable Operation of the Kiyanly Polymer Plant.”

Second, we welcomed the conclusion of the “MOU on Establishing a Framework on Trade and Investment Promotion” during this visit, and agreed to work to facilitate trade and investment between our two countries. We will accelerate efforts to conclude the “Bilateral Investment Treaty” and the “Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement” as early as possible.

Third, we will enhance bilateral collaboration by building on the “MOU for Cooperation on Infrastructure and New City Development” concluded during this visit. We welcomed our cooperation to date in shipbuilding and in the expansion of transportation infrastructure, and agreed to explore additional cooperation opportunities.

Fourth, we concurred that the Korea-Central Asia Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference launched last year will play an important role in enhancing cooperation between Korea and the five countries of Central Asia. In this regard, we agreed to work closely together for the success of the second meeting that will be held in Turkmenistan this year, following the first meeting held in Seoul last year.

Fifth, we engaged in an exchange of views on the North Korean nuclear issue and recent developments on the Korean Peninsula. We shared a common understanding that the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue and the complete denuclearization of North Korea will contribute to peace and prosperity not only of the Korean Peninsula but also of the world.

President Berdimuhamedov expressed his support for the Korean government’s “Audacious Initiative for a Denuclearized, Peaceful and Prosperous Korean Peninsula.”

Finally, here in Turkmenistan, the first stop on my trip to Central Asia, I provided President Berdimuhamedov with a detailed briefing on the “K Silk Road Initiative on Cooperation between Korea and Central Asia” and the plan to hold an inaugural Korea-Central Asia Summit, announced just prior to my departure. President Berdimuhamedov expressed his full support.

We agreed to work closely together in the process of implementing this initiative.

Building on the accomplishments discussed at today’s meeting, I will continue to closely communicate with President Berdimuhamedov with a view to further bolstering our mutually beneficial partnership.

I would like to thank President Berdimuhamedov and the people of Turkmenistan once more for their warm hospitality.