On September 16, within the framework of the official visit of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, to the Republic of Korea, a high-level meeting and talks between Tajikistan and Korea were held in Seoul.

During the meeting between the heads of state, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon and His Excellency Lee Jae Myung, the parties discussed issues related to strengthening, expanding, and further developing bilateral cooperation.

At the outset of the meeting, President Emomali Rahmon expressed his gratitude to the Korean side for the invitation to pay an official visit to the Republic of Korea and to participate in the first Summit of Heads of State in the “Central Asia–Republic of Korea” format.

Strengthening friendly relations with the Republic of Korea was described as one of the important priorities of Tajikistan’s foreign policy. The historical ties, longstanding relations of friendship, and humanitarian values shared by the peoples of the two countries were emphasized.

Active high-level and interstate dialogue was described as an important driving force behind the development of multifaceted relations between the two friendly countries.

As highlighted by Leader of the Nation, Emomali Rahmon, a solid legal framework for relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Korea has been established.

It was noted that priority in bilateral relations is being given to trade and economic cooperation, investment, industry, energy, transport and logistics, digitalization, technology and artificial intelligence, agriculture, labour migration, environmental protection, and tourism.

The need to ensure active participation of business communities, attract direct investment, and introduce advanced technologies from the Republic of Korea into Tajikistan was stressed.

The proposal to open an office of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in Tajikistan was supported. Particular attention was also paid to the activities of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation and to utilizing the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) to expand trade and economic relations.

The parties welcomed the First Tajikistan–Korea Critical Minerals Forum, held in Seoul in August, as well as the presentation of investment opportunities in the processing of Tajikistan’s mineral resources.

The active participation of relevant Korean institutions and investors in the implementation of Tajikistan’s strategic projects was deemed beneficial. The continuation of the third phase of the “Rural Development Project in Tajikistan,” which has been implemented in cooperation with the Republic of Korea since 2021, was also considered important.

President Emomali Rahmon highlighted Korea’s important role in implementing social programmes in Tajikistan, training highly qualified specialists, and developing human capital through educational and academic programmes and the allocation of government-funded scholarships to Tajik citizens.

In this regard, it was proposed to increase the number of these scholarships, particularly in information technology, artificial intelligence, medicine, aviation, and engineering, and to prioritize the expansion of cooperation between the two countries in tourism, including the establishment of direct flights between Tajikistan and Korea.

Financial support for the construction of the main building of the “Republican Scientific Centre of Oncology,” cooperation within the framework of the joint initiative of the countries and the Korean side’s initiative, the “Central Asia–Korea Partnership Vision for Artificial Intelligence, Science and Technology,” as well as the development and expansion of cooperation with the Republic of Korea in the tourism sector, particularly in developing tourism infrastructure, were among the important topics discussed during the high-level meeting and talks.

The meeting also addressed strengthening cooperation in combating the consequences of climate change, including the rapid melting of glaciers, implementing environmental programmes, and protecting biodiversity.

During the talks, certain issues related to the regional and global situation were also discussed.

At the conclusion of the high-level talks, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, invited President of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Lee Jae Myung, to visit Tajikistan at his convenience.