President Yoon Suk Yeol said Thursday he will seek ways to strengthen economic ties with Uzbekistan through enhanced cooperation in mineral supply chains and cutting-edge technologies as he was set to embark on a state visit to the Central Asian nation. In a written interview with Uzbek state news agency Dunyo, Yoon highlighted Uzbekistan's growth potential, citing its strategic location connecting Asia and Europe and abundant resources. "Despite the global crises, I believe this is an opportunity to deepen economic cooperation between our countries, including in key minerals and supply chains," Yoon said. He noted the bilateral relations were elevated to a special strategic partnership in 2019, the only one of its kind in Central Asia, and said he was committed to further developing the bilateral ties. In addition to Uzbekistan, South Korea has established special strategic partnerships with India, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Yoon said his summit with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev , slated for Friday, will focus on expanding cooperation in a wide range of fields. "During this visit, we plan to discuss ways to substantively develop bilateral relations in various fields, such as energy and infrastructure, health care, climate and environment, science and technology, and education," he said. "Korea hopes to build a Central Asian hub for advanced science and technology with Uzbekistan." On Thursday, Yoon will fly from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan, the final leg of his three-nation Central Asia tour, which also involves Turkmenistan. Source: Yonhap News Agency
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