Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung expressed gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedow of Turkmenistan for facilitating the evacuation of South Koreans from Iran during a summit meeting at Cheong Wa Dae. This meeting was held in anticipation of the inaugural South Korea-Central Asia Summit.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee thanked Turkmenistan for its crucial role in ensuring the safe passage of over 30 South Koreans through its territory in March, following the onset of the U.S.-Iran conflict in late February. Lee highlighted the deep trust and friendship between the two nations showcased during these challenging times.
During the discussions, Lee emphasized the foundation of cooperation established since 2008 and expressed optimism for leveraging Turkmenistan's natural resources and strategic location for mutual benefit. President Berdimuhamedow acknowledged South Korea's international support and reaffirmed Turkmenistan's backing for South Korea's initiatives, notably the North Korea initiative, END.
In a closed-door session, Lee sought Turkmenistan's support for South Korean firms in infrastructure projects. Both leaders envisioned Turkmenistan as a logistics hub, connecting Central Asia to the Caspian Sea, and agreed to enhance collaboration in shipbuilding, railway construction, and urban development.
The leaders also addressed the importance of water management and anti-desertification in Turkmenistan, agreeing to utilize South Korea's smart water management technology. The summit concluded with the signing of 13 bilateral agreements and MOUs, spanning investment, infrastructure, and transnational crime responses.