12 September 2012, 14:00
ASTANA-SEOUL. September 12. KAZINFORM Today President of South Korea Lee Myung-bak is expected in Kazakhstan with an official visit.This is his third visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan within the last three years and that is a reflection of close cooperation between the two countries.Ahead of his visit to Kazakhstan, the Korean leader told about the current state and prospects of the bilateral cooperation, global security problems and perspective of the world's largest cities.
Cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and South Korea gains momentum based on the frequency of top level visits. What are the potential areas for the Kazakh-Korean collaboration?
Over two decades of diplomatic relations established in 1992, Kazakhstan and South Korea have entered a brand new, higher level of partnership. It is worth mentioning, the two nations reached strategic partnership in May 2009 and from then onward continued to expand and strengthen it.
Currently South Korea and Kazakhstan have cemented cooperation in the field of energy, natural resources and industrial infrastructure. Based on the successful bilateral interaction our countries may expand partnership in all spheres, including atomic power stations, transport, high-speed trains, science and technology, healthcare and medicine, shipping industry and logistics as well as 'greening'.
What is the objective of your upcoming visit to Kazakhstan?
This time, my visit was arranged on the invitation of Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev who kindly asked me to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Balkhash electric power station. The station is a landmark project in the sphere of economic cooperation between South Korea and Kazakhstan.
Having marked 20 years of diplomatic relations, our countries will continue to strengthen friendly ties and cooperation through the high level visits, thus, building up a solid foundation for the development of strategic partnership in future.
Kazakhstan boasts a large Korean diaspora.
I have been informed of the fact that there are approximately 100 000 ethnic Koreans in Kazakhstan. I know that they are engaged in various spheres, they work in politics, economy and industry, science, culture and sport, thus, making their contribution to Kazakhstan's prosperity and development. I sincerely hope that they will bridge our countries in order to consolidate the economic and cultural ties.
This spring Seoul hosted the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit with the participation of Kazakhstani delegation and Nursultan Nazarbayev. As you may know, UN General Assembly announced the 29 of August the International Day against Nuclear Tests on Kazakhstan's initiative. What is the role of our countries in the global nuclear non-proliferation?
I am grateful to President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Kazakhstani delegation for participation in the 2nd Nuclear Security Summit that took place in March in Seoul. Kazakhstan made a great contribution to the success of the Seoul Summit.
Kazakhstan is an active participant in the discussions on reduction of nuclear weapons and non-proliferation. The country deserves to be respected for playing a leading role in securing the nuclear security in the region.
Right after gaining sovereignty Kazakhstan announced it bans nuclear weapons and tests on its territory. Kazakhstan shut down the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and took up the initiative of creating a nuclear free zone in Central Asia. I was deeply impressed with Kazakhstan's efforts.
As the former Seoul mayor you pride on having an extensive experience in managing a big city. In your opinion, what is the future of cities in the global world?
I visited Kazakhstan for the first time in 2004 in the capacity of Seoul mayor. Each time I visit Kazakhstan I pay attention to the construction process in the country, especially in Astana.
Astana is a bright example of President Nazarbayev's vision. I think that the future of the cities is closely connected with 'greening'. The ecologically clean cities are the priority of the 'green policy'.
Cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and South Korea gains momentum based on the frequency of top level visits. What are the potential areas for the Kazakh-Korean collaboration?
Over two decades of diplomatic relations established in 1992, Kazakhstan and South Korea have entered a brand new, higher level of partnership. It is worth mentioning, the two nations reached strategic partnership in May 2009 and from then onward continued to expand and strengthen it.
Currently South Korea and Kazakhstan have cemented cooperation in the field of energy, natural resources and industrial infrastructure. Based on the successful bilateral interaction our countries may expand partnership in all spheres, including atomic power stations, transport, high-speed trains, science and technology, healthcare and medicine, shipping industry and logistics as well as 'greening'.
What is the objective of your upcoming visit to Kazakhstan?
This time, my visit was arranged on the invitation of Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev who kindly asked me to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Balkhash electric power station. The station is a landmark project in the sphere of economic cooperation between South Korea and Kazakhstan.
Having marked 20 years of diplomatic relations, our countries will continue to strengthen friendly ties and cooperation through the high level visits, thus, building up a solid foundation for the development of strategic partnership in future.
Kazakhstan boasts a large Korean diaspora.
I have been informed of the fact that there are approximately 100 000 ethnic Koreans in Kazakhstan. I know that they are engaged in various spheres, they work in politics, economy and industry, science, culture and sport, thus, making their contribution to Kazakhstan's prosperity and development. I sincerely hope that they will bridge our countries in order to consolidate the economic and cultural ties.
This spring Seoul hosted the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit with the participation of Kazakhstani delegation and Nursultan Nazarbayev. As you may know, UN General Assembly announced the 29 of August the International Day against Nuclear Tests on Kazakhstan's initiative. What is the role of our countries in the global nuclear non-proliferation?
I am grateful to President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Kazakhstani delegation for participation in the 2nd Nuclear Security Summit that took place in March in Seoul. Kazakhstan made a great contribution to the success of the Seoul Summit.
Kazakhstan is an active participant in the discussions on reduction of nuclear weapons and non-proliferation. The country deserves to be respected for playing a leading role in securing the nuclear security in the region.
Right after gaining sovereignty Kazakhstan announced it bans nuclear weapons and tests on its territory. Kazakhstan shut down the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and took up the initiative of creating a nuclear free zone in Central Asia. I was deeply impressed with Kazakhstan's efforts.
As the former Seoul mayor you pride on having an extensive experience in managing a big city. In your opinion, what is the future of cities in the global world?
I visited Kazakhstan for the first time in 2004 in the capacity of Seoul mayor. Each time I visit Kazakhstan I pay attention to the construction process in the country, especially in Astana.
Astana is a bright example of President Nazarbayev's vision. I think that the future of the cities is closely connected with 'greening'. The ecologically clean cities are the priority of the 'green policy'.
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