President Lee: "Korea and Turkmenistan to Cooperate on Transforming Resources into High Value-Added Industries and Creating New Routes for Logistics and Trade"

Korea-Turkmenistan Expand Summit: "Maximizing Strengths for New Opportunities"

Turkmen President: "Supports the E.N.D. Initiative... Peaceful Resolution for Korean Peninsula Issues"

On September 15, President Lee Jae-myung stated, "Korea will work together to ensure that Turkmenistan's abundant resources are transformed into high value-added industries and jobs, and that the land connecting the Caspian Sea and Central Asia becomes a new logistics and trade hub."

President Lee Jae-myung and Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov are holding an expanded summit meeting at the Blue House on the 15th. 2026.9.15 Yonhap News Agency

President Lee made these remarks during an expanded summit with Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the Blue House on the same day, saying, "Our government will firmly support both countries so that we can maximize each other's strengths and create new opportunities together."

The two countries have announced plans to expand cooperation beyond the traditional focus on resources and plant construction to include high value-added industries, as well as logistics and transport infrastructure. On this occasion, they signed a total of 13 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) covering investment protection, chemicals and plant construction, water resources, infrastructure, and railways.

Regarding the outcome of the preceding small-group talks, President Lee explained, "We have agreed to maintain close communication and cooperation so that the relationship between our two countries can grow in a more mutually beneficial and robust manner going forward."

President Lee also emphasized that, since establishing a "mutually beneficial partnership" in 2008, the two countries have built a solid foundation for practical cooperation. He said, "If we can use this cooperation as a stepping stone to create tangible results for both nations' growth and improve the quality of life for our people, it would be very meaningful. I hope today's summit will serve as a new starting point for strengthening cooperation across various fields."

President Lee expressed gratitude for Turkmenistan’s support in evacuating Korean citizens during the heightened tensions in the Middle East. He said, "Last year and this year, when the situation in the Middle East was urgent, I would like to express my deep gratitude again to President Berdimuhamedov and the government of Turkmenistan for their special consideration in ensuring the safe evacuation of our citizens and families who were in Iran through Turkmenistan." He added, "The warm hand extended to us during difficult times truly demonstrated the deep trust and friendship between our two countries."

President Lee Jae-myung and President Serdar Berdimuhamedow of Turkmenistan shake hands ahead of the expanded summit at the Blue House on September 15, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

President Berdimuhamedov, emphasizing that this is his first state visit to Korea, responded, "This trip will serve as a very meaningful milestone in further developing cooperation between our two countries going forward." He also officially expressed support for President Lee's "E.N.D. Initiative" regarding North Korea.

President Berdimuhamedov stated, "I would like to reiterate our support for the 'E.N.D. Initiative,' which President Lee proposed based on the first letters of the English words 'exchange normalization' and 'denuclearization.' We have consistently maintained that all issues on the Korean Peninsula should be resolved through peaceful dialogue and diplomatic means, and we will continue to do so in the future."

He went on to praise Korea for its consistent support for Turkmenistan's permanent neutral status and for backing Turkmenistan-initiated proposals in the international arena. President Berdimuhamedov expressed particular gratitude for Korea's support and co-sponsorship of Turkmenistan's proposed "2028 Year of International Law" resolution at the United Nations General Assembly.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.