Seoul: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan have agreed to establish a comprehensive partnership aimed at enhancing collaboration in areas such as critical minerals. This agreement was reached during a bilateral summit held at Cheong Wa Dae, prior to the first South Korea-Central Asia Summit, which will include leaders from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee emphasized the significance of the new partnership, marking a milestone in the diplomatic relations established in 1992 between South Korea and Tajikistan. Lee acknowledged Tajikistan's rich mineral resources and its economic growth potential, pledging South Korea's cooperation in Tajikistan's economic development. The South Korean president expressed hopes for expanded cooperation in critical areas like railways, minerals, and digital technology.
President Rahmon highlighted the importance of strengthening ties with South Korea, noting the longstanding friendship between the two nations. He emphasized the need for legal and institutional frameworks to support the comprehensive partnership, viewing the dialogue as a crucial step towards enhancing diplomatic and political trust.
Seong Ghi-hong, the senior presidential secretary for public relations and communication, stated that both leaders have agreed to explore new areas of cooperation, including infrastructure and artificial intelligence, as part of the partnership. The Tajikistani president also committed to establishing a "Korea desk" to address issues faced by South Korean businesses in Tajikistan.
The summit also enabled an exchange of views on the Korean Peninsula and international security, with President Rahmon expressing support for peaceful resolutions through dialogue. As a result of the summit, 17 memorandums of understanding and agreements were signed to boost cooperation in industries and public administration, including textile and chemical product exports and AI development.
Later, President Rahmon met with South Korean Prime Minister Han Seong-sook to discuss further cooperation. Rahmon reiterated the importance of relations with South Korea in Tajikistan's foreign policy, highlighting the legal framework established for bilateral development through the agreements signed. These pacts are expected to strengthen the economic partnership between the two nations, contributing to overall growth.