Minister Song delivered a letter to President Karimov, one that President Roh Moo-hyun had written in hope to promote bilateral cooperation. He also asked for the support of the Uzbek government for mutual cooperation in areas of energy and resources including the uranium development project and exploitation in the ’Surgil’ gas field. President Karimov acknowledged the recent development of the ’Strategic Partnership’ between Korea and Uzbekistan, and expressed hopes to increase substantial cooperation in various areas including automobile, IT, education, agriculture and construction.

Minister Song had bilateral talks with his Uzbek counterpart Foreign Minister Norov and asked for the support of the Uzbek government to increase trade and investment between Korea and Uzbekistan, since the two countries had built confidence by mutual visits of the two heads of state. Both ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas of energy and resources such as a prompt conclusion of the contract for uranium concentrate provision, textile, grant and credit assistance, workforce, and infrastructure such as modernization of the Novoi Airport.

Minister Norov asked for the Korean government to share experiences of economic development with Uzbekistan, and also support for the construction of a branch school of Kwangwoon University in Tashkent. Minister Song expressed hopes for an early accession of Uzbekistan to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to boost substantial cooperation between Korea and Uzbekistan.

Minister Song and Minister Norov noted that some 200,000 ethnic Koreans in Uzbekistan are playing a constructive role in strengthening Korea-Uzbekistan relations, and agreed to continue exerting cooperative efforts in supporting these people.

Minister Song presided over the Meeting of Heads of Korean Overseas Missions in Central Asia, and discussed ways to secure energy and resources in this region, to enter the newly-emerging markets of Central Asia, to activate the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum, and to protect Koreans living abroad.

Minister Song also met with Koreans residing in Uzbekistan and delivered words of encouragement. He listened to their difficulties and explained the policies of the Korean government to support the ethnic Koreans such as building asylums for the aged and promoting the Employment Permit System for Ethnic Koreans with Foreign Nationalities.