President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-Bak traveled to the Mustaqillik (Independence) Square in Tashkent on August 24.

Embodying the pride and dignity of the Uzbek people, the central plaza of the country has attained not merely a modern appearance, but also a growing symbolic significance in the life of the nation as a result of colossal creative and beautification efforts led by the head of state. A site for official and ceremonial events, Mustaqillik Square is popular with Tashkent residents and guests of the capital city.

Paying tribute and respect to the Uzbek people, President Lee Myung-Bak laid wreath to the Monument of Independence and Humanism, a symbol of our freedom, bright future and noble aspirations.

The South Korean leader said that the Square is a distinct ensemble of magnificent buildings, fine-looking avenues and dazzling fountains. The high-ranking guest stressed in particular that the architectural harmony of buildings and matchless natural landscape left an enormous impression on him.

On the same day, Presidents Islam Karimov and Lee Myung-Bak attended the official ceremony at the Uzexpocenter where they launched construction of Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex at Surgil deposit, by far the largest forthcoming scheme in Uzbek-South Korean investment cooperation.

President Islam Karimov noted that commencement of this splendid project constitutes an important historic event, the more so that construction works jumpstart on the eve of the 20th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence.

During independence development years Uzbekistan has achieved a lot in economic diversification and modernization, establishment and enhancement of import-substituting and high-tech goods production. In particular, notable accomplishments in hydrocarbon industry have included the growth of not merely the volumes of production and exports, but also the share of reprocessed produce. The strategy aimed at construction of complexes for deep reprocessing of hydrocarbon crude has facilitated the formation and steadfast thriving of oil and gas chemical industry in Uzbekistan building on cutting-edge technologies.

President of the Republic of Korea said Ustyurt complex is considerably the biggest joint project between the two countries, and that major South Korean companies are involved in engineering and construction works, supply of equipment.

Once the complex is brought into operation, it is anticipated to produce 400 thousand tons of polyethylene and 100 thousand tons of polypropylene a year. It is going to be the largest complex of its sort in the Commonwealth of Independent States, thus making Karakalpakstan a major industrial center of the country. At the same time, the commissioning of the complex will facilitate the establishment of new related industrial enterprises in other regions of Uzbekistan and creation of plenty new jobs.

In the direct video link between the event in Tashkent’s Uzexpocenter and the Surgil field on the Ustyurt plateau, chairman of Zhokargy Kenes (Supreme Council) of Karakalpakstan Musa Yerniyazov and president of Korea Gas Corporation Chu Kang Su removed the veil from the memorial stone set on the site of the future industrial giant.

The statement inscribed on the stone reads, “The foundation stone of Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex at Surgil deposit is laid on the initiative of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-Bak on August 24, 2011.”

That the visit by President of the Republic of Korea and the historic occasion (Ustyurt complex construction launch) coincided with festive events of the 20th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence carry a truly profound meaning. Along with a manifestation of common willingness of both nations for mutual cooperation, this has symbolized also a high respect for national and spiritual values of the two peoples.

The guests have assured that the Republic of Korea will never forget the generosity and humanism of the Uzbek people toward the Koreans who turned up in Uzbekistan in mid-twentieth century by the will of fate. Like all other citizens of Uzbekistan, the local Koreans live today in peace and harmony, make valuable input into the development and prosperity of this country. The meeting of Lee Myung-Bak with ethnic Koreans as well as South Korean businesspeople working and residing in Uzbekistan has reaffirmed that the relations between the two nations are based on shared confidence and respect, mutual understanding and friendship.

In general, as far as practical outcomes of state visit by Lee Myung-Bak to Uzbekistan are concerned, the deals reached in Tashkent, the signed documents, and construction commencement of the biggest project in Surgil – all this is clearly indicative of the evolution of Uzbek-South Korean interaction building on principles of strategic partnership. There is every reason to believe that this cooperation will keep thriving.