On Monday November 29, Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin met here with his Korean counterpart Chung Eui-yong, who paid an official visit to Tajikistan at the invitation of the Tajik side, according to the Tajik MFA information department. 

In the course of the talks, the two reportedly discussed the state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the Republic of Korea. 

Muhriddin and Chang, in particular, noted the importance of further maintaining mutual contacts at the high levels, as well as strengthening inter-parliamentary ties and inter-departmental consultations.

It was highlighted with satisfaction that the status of the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Korea in Tajikistan was elevated to the level of the Ambassador.

Particular attention was paid to the trade and economic cooperation.  The parties reportedly agreed to make additional efforts to increase the bilateral trade. 

The parties signed the Protocol Amending the Convention between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Korea for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income, which will expand the package of bilateral Agreements.

They also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues being of mutual interest, including the current situation in Afghanistan and its impact of security in the region. 

On the topic of the Central Asia-Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum, the Ministers noted with satisfaction the importance of this permanent mechanism for strengthening practical cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the countries of Central Asia.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry of Korea says the two sides extensively discussed ways for Korea and Tajikistan to seek a mutually beneficial development through a harmonious nexus between the former’s New Northern Policy aimed to achieve peace and shared prosperity in Eurasia, and the latter’s National Development Strategy, its economic development plan. They agreed to continue expanding and deepening substantive cooperation between their two countries through a steady implementation of the New Northern Policy.

They reportedly also agreed to carry out Korea-Tajikistan development cooperation projects in a way that not only provides short-term assistance to Tajikistan but also helps strengthen the country’s public service and industrial capabilities and leads to mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. 

The two Foreign Ministers shared the view that climate change as well as the health and disease crisis triggered by COVID-19 is emerging as a new security issue of the international community, and agreed to work closely together in responding to such new issues.

On that note, the two Foreign Ministers welcomed that the foreign ministers and experts in diverse areas of the Central Asian countries -- Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan -- will attend the 14th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum to be held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on November 30 and discuss ways for substantive cooperation toward a better economic recovery in the post-COVID-19 era. The two sides also agreed to work together for the Forum to develop continually into a consultative mechanism that spearheads closer cooperation among Korea and the five Central Asian countries.

After their meeting, Muhriddin and Chang attended the academic conference held in Dushanbe to celebrate the upgrade of the Dushanbe Office to the Korean Embassy in Tajikistan by reviewing the advances in bilateral relations over the past 30 years and exploring the future way forward.

In his congratulatory remarks, Foreign Minister Chung highlighted the importance of cooperation among private-sector experts for the development of bilateral relations, voicing hope that the conference will help set a direction for the future development of bilateral relations.

Foreign Minister Muhriddin suggested that the two countries broadly advance their relations by promoting multi-faceted cooperation through some 1,000 ethnic Koreans in Tajikistan as well as cooperation focused on tourism and education, among others.