MOSCOW, September 20. /Dunyo IA/. Russia’s oldest daily newspaper, “Izvestia,” has published an article titled “Region in High Demand: Why the World Has Suddenly Become Deeply Interested in Central Asia,” reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The article focuses on the first “Republic of Korea–Central Asia” Summit, held in Seoul, where the leaders of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and South Korea signed the Seoul Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to industrial cooperation.

According to Izvestia, Kazakhstan elevated its relations with Seoul to a comprehensive strategic partnership, while Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan concluded a number of agreements on transport, aviation and investment protection.

The publication also notes agreements on exchanging natural resources, including rare-earth metals, for Korean technologies, while South Korea gained access to transport corridors leading to European and Middle Eastern markets.

Izvestia highlights the growing international engagement with Central Asia, including summits with China, the United States in the “5+1” format, and the European Union, as well as meetings with the leaders of Italy, Germany, France and Japan. Russia, meanwhile, maintains close ties with the region through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the Eurasian Economic Union and its own “5+1” formats.