President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov at the Oqsaroy on July 11 received credentials from the newly appointed Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in our country – Riaz Hussain Bukhari of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Lee Wook-heon of the Republic of Korea.



Having congratulated the chiefs of diplomatic missions on their appointment to the high and responsible post and the commencement of their activity in our country, the head of state noted that Uzbekistan attaches essential significance to the steadfast and progressive development of cooperation with Pakistan and South Korea for the good of our nations.

During the conversation with Pakistan’s ambassador, prospects of evolution of bilateral relations as well as issues of regional and international character have been discussed.

It was stressed that the ages-old practice of trade and cultural exchange between the peoples of Uzbekistan and Pakistan serves as a potent backbone for the further consolidation of contemporary cooperation.

Our two countries have currently been active in their interaction within the frameworks of international organizations.

Riaz Hussain Bukhari said he sees his principal goal as that in the reinforcement of cooperation in political, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian areas in the interests of Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

During the meeting with the ambassador of the Republic of Korea it was underscored that for the more than 20 years of diplomatic relations, interstate ties have grown multidimensional and dynamic, and a robust agreement and normative foundation has been created.

South Korea is one of Uzbekistan’s major trade partners. The mutual turnover reached 2.14 billion US dollars in 2012.

The volume of South Korean investments into the Uzbek economy has exceeded six billion dollars. Currently, joint projects have been in progress across sectors of economy, the biggest one being the construction of Ustyurt Gas and Chemical Complex.

South Korean businesses have been enthusiastic in the establishment of modern hi-tech manufacturing entities in the Navoi Free Industrial and Economic Zone, the Angren Special Industrial Zone and in running the transcontinental intermodal hub at the Navoi airport.

Similarly vibrant has been the cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian realm.

Lee Wook-heon, instructed by the leadership of the Republic of Korea, assured of the invariability of his government’s course toward the persistent consolidation of strategic partnership with Uzbekistan built on the principles of mutual confidence and respect. (Source: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan)