Official welcoming ceremony of the Korean President was held at Ko’ksaroy (Blue Palace). Guard of honour has been lined up. Two leaders inspected the Guard of honour.

After that Islam Karimov and Lee Myung-bak held a meeting in face-to-face format. The sides exchanged opinion on bilateral relations, actual regional and international problems.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov said: “We believe that the Republic of Korea is reliable partner of Uzbekistan. Your visit is one of bright evidence of interest of two states for developing mutual beneficial cooperation.”

During the talks, it was noted that the current meeting is considered as important step in process of further intensive development of multilateral relations and as good opportunity for wide-scale analyses current state and determine priorities for future relations.

Lee Myung-bak said: “I believe that Uzbekistan is the most close and friendly country and I am excited to visit your land. Regular high-level talks will help for development of cooperation.”

During the meeting, the sides exchanged opinion on situation in Afghanistan and it was noted that the Afghan problem cannot be solved with military way.

Presidents of Uzbekistan and South Korea continued their negotiations at the expanded structure.

Uzbek President underlined that the state visit of Korean President Lee Myung-bak to Uzbekistan is considered by the Uzbek side as important and key event in history of two bilateral relations, logic and gradual continuation of strategic partnership and cooperation between two states.

It was noted that announced investments of Korea to Uzbekistan makes up US$5 billion and the volume of used investments reached US$2 billion.

President Islam Karimov underlined that symbolic stone of Ustyurt gas-chemical complex with over US$2.6 billion direct investments will be laid. The complex will enter to construction stage.

It was said Uzbekistan is interested in attracting of Korean investment and technologies to such areas as oil and gas, chemistry, mining, machinery, light industry, construction materials, electrotechnical, etc.

After the negotiations, Presidents of Uzbekistan and South Korea signed a joint statement. The document reflects current state and perspectives of cooperation between two states.

The sides also signed several cooperation agreements on industrial and energy cooperation, engineering services, equipment supply and construction. Overall, it is planned to sign over 20 agreements.

During the press-conference, Islam Karimov and Lee Myung-bak underlined that the negotiations were held in constructive and mutual respect mood and reached agreement will serve for developing the Uzbek-Korean relations and well-being of two nations.

Islam Karimov underlined that Korea is a strategic partner of Uzbekistan in all directions and it helps to implement large scale national programmes of Uzbekistan in reforming and modernizing economy and social sector.

Lee Myung-bak said that he is impressed with achievement of stable economic growth of Uzbekistan in global financial-economic crisis. He said that achieved agreements will lift relations of two states to new level.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is continuing his state visit to Uzbekistan.