Seoul, September 15 (Daily Kiran) : South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow during a summit meeting on Tuesday. This meeting was held in Seoul at the Cheong Wa Dae, ahead of the first South Korea-Central Asia summit scheduled for Wednesday.
President Lee commended Turkmenistan for its role in facilitating the safe evacuation of South Korean citizens from Iran amid escalating tensions. This evacuation occurred after military actions were initiated by the U.S. and Israel against Tehran earlier this year.
According to reports from Yonhap News Agency, over 30 South Korean nationals were safely transported through Turkmenistan in March, following the military escalation. Lee stated, “I sincerely thank you for allowing our citizens and their families to exit Iran safely via Turkmenistan during the emergencies that arose last year and this year.”
He emphasized that the assistance provided during these challenging times highlighted the deep trust and friendship between the two nations. Since the establishment of a mutually beneficial partnership in 2008, significant cooperation has been developed across various sectors. Lee expressed optimism for even more concrete results in the future, noting Turkmenistan’s vast natural resources and its strategic geographical position linked to the Caspian Sea and Central Asia.
In response, President Berdimuhamedow acknowledged Turkmenistan’s appreciation for South Korea’s support on various initiatives in international forums. He reiterated Turkmenistan’s commitment to backing South Korea’s stance on major global issues, including President Lee’s initiatives regarding North Korea.
Berdimuhamedow stated, “We have always supported the idea that all issues related to the Korean Peninsula should be resolved through peaceful dialogue and diplomatic means, and we will continue to uphold this position.”
Following the meeting, both countries signed 13 bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding, marking a significant step in their diplomatic relations.
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