ROME, September 16. /Dunyo IA/. Leading Italian publications “Notizie Geopolitiche” and “Agenparl.eu” have published articles dedicated to the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to South Korea and his participation in the first “Central Asia – Republic of Korea” Summit, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Publications note that the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev commenced his state visit to the Republic of Korea on September 13^th at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung, aiming to strengthen the special strategic partnership between Tashkent and Seoul, as well as to participate in the inaugural “Central Asia – Republic of Korea” Summit. This marks Shavkat Mirziyoyev's third state visit to Seoul, following his previous visits in 2017 and 2021.

Publications also provide detailed coverage of the state visit program. It is noted that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the First Lady of Uzbekistan were welcomed at the Seoul Air Base by a guard of honour and a military artillery salute.

As highlighted by the Italian media, the talks between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President Lee Jae Myung focused on further strengthening the special strategic partnership. Head of Uzbekistan outlined five priority areas for economic cooperation: trade, investment, critical minerals, transport and infrastructure.

Publications emphasize that the parties agreed on an investment portfolio of joint projects with a total value of nearly $12 billion, and adopted a new strategic partnership program with the Export-Import Bank of Korea.

Following the talks, a series of agreements were signed in the fields of transport, aviation, agriculture, tourism, artificial intelligence, education, regulation of medical products, ecology and archival cooperation.

Among the reached agreements, the Italian publications highlight the $196 million agreement signed in 2024 to implement the Korea Train Express technology in Uzbekistan, as well as a $223 million contract concluded with the “Incheon International Airport Corporation” for the modernization of Urgench Airport.

Publications focus particular attention on the meeting between the President of Uzbekistan and representatives of the Uzbek community residing in South Korea. It is noted that the community has grown significantly in recent years. According to the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, in 2024, the number of Uzbek citizens residing in Korea approached 95,000.

Publications also highlight the regional significance of the visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Seoul. The mission will continue with the first “Central Asia – Republic of Korea” Summit, to be held in Seoul with the participation of the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

According to the Italian publications, President of Korea Lee Jae Myung described the meeting as a significant step toward strengthening relations between South Korea and the Central Asian countries through a multilateral format at the heads of state level.

Summit focuses on trade, investment, infrastructure, and digital transformation. Following the meeting, the adoption of the Seoul Declaration is expected, which will define the priorities for further cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the five Central Asian states.