Bakhtier N. Ibragimov, charge d’affaires of the Uzbek Embassy here, underscored the role strong diplomatic ties will play in raising awareness about ethnic Koreans living in the Central Asian nation, during a reception celebrating the 23rd anniversary of his country’s Independence Day in Seoul on Wednesday.

The Korean diaspora “has become an indispensable and active part of Uzbek society and it plays an important role in strengthening bilateral relations, serving as a linking element between the friendly nations of the two countries,” he said during a reception with the foreign diplomatic community, government officials and friends of Uzbekistan.

Ibragimov said that his country supports President Park Geun-hye’s “Eurasian Initiative,” which “from our perspective, opens a myriad of opportunities for countries of this macro region to develop mutually beneficial collaboration and positively impacts on the revival of the ‘Great Silk Road’ in today’s environment.”

One of the important elements of the president’s initiative is its cultural dimension. For example, during President Park’s visit to Uzbekistan in June, an MOU was signed on the creation of a “House of Korean Culture and Art in Uzbekistan” that will preserve, explore and promote the traditions, art and culture of ethnic Koreans there.

In the 22 years since diplomatic ties were established with Uzbekistan, there have been 13 summit meetings between the heads of state of the two nations.

South Korea is now one of Uzbekistan’s largest investment partners. Since 2004, two-way trade has increased fourfold, with over $6 billion in cumulative South Korean investment in the Uzbek economy.

(ephilip2014@heraldcorp.com)