Speaker Marlen Mamataliyev met with Vice Speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea, head of the Korea-Kyrgyzstan parliamentary friendship group Pak Dok-hum.
The meeting was also attended by Rakhat Zhunushbayeva, deputy head of the deputy friendship group for cooperation with South Korea.
During the conversation, the parties discussed issues of developing Kyrgyz-Korean cooperation and strengthening interparliamentary ties.
Marlen Mamataliyev noted that next year will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kyrgyzstan and South Korea.
"Over these years, our countries have built relations based on friendship and mutual trust. Kyrgyz-Korean cooperation has been developing especially actively in recent years, consistently expanding in all areas. As a result, South Korea has become one of the reliable and priority partners of Kyrgyzstan in the Asia-Pacific region," he emphasised.
During the meeting, issues of trade and economic cooperation were also discussed. The parties noted the importance of making the most effective use of the existing potential in this area.
In addition, the Speaker emphasised that summits in the Central Asia-Republic of Korea format are successfully held and serve as an important platform for bringing regional and bilateral cooperation to a qualitatively new level.
Marlen Mamataliyev also noted the significant role of parliaments in implementing the agreements reached between the two countries, emphasising that interaction between the legislative bodies of the two countries has intensified noticeably in recent years.
"The parliamentary friendship groups are working particularly fruitfully, having managed to implement many joint projects. Such activity contributes not only to the strengthening of interparliamentary ties but also makes a significant contribution to the development of cooperation between our states," Mamataliyev said, sharing a number of initiatives to further deepen interaction.
In particular, he proposed to create a Kyrgyz-Korean development fund to expand economic cooperation, and also to consider the possibility of allocating special quotas in the field of education.
In his turn, Vice Speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea Pak Dok-hum expressed confidence that the current visit would become an additional stimulus not only for strengthening interparliamentary ties but also for the further development of bilateral cooperation between the states. Pak Dok-hum particularly emphasised the interest of South Korea in expanding cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in all areas.
"We have very many opportunities. By using them to the full, we will be able to bring Kyrgyz-Korean relations to a new level. This is our main goal," the Vice Speaker noted.
Members of the Korean delegation also shared their proposals on further deepening cooperation, particularly emphasising the need for joint work in the fields of education, innovative technologies and energy.
In his turn, Marlen Mamataliyev noted that this meeting should not be viewed merely as an opportunity to exchange opinions. According to him, corresponding work will be organised for each of the voiced initiatives.
At the end of the meeting, Marlen Mamataliyev familiarised Pak Dok-hum and the delegation members with the activities of the Jogorku Kenesh, and also demonstrated the ongoing work on the digitalisation of the parliament.
Reported by Kabar (Kyrgyzstan).
