President Park Geun-hye highlighted the need for economic cooperation with Central Asia and delivered words of encouragement to business leaders at an open forum on July 7. The forum attendees were business people from the delegation that accompanied the president on her trip to Central Asia last month.
President Park said that her state visit to Central Asia last month yielded a remarkable outcome, particularly in terms of the economy, which can be attributed to the concerted efforts of the government and business community.
“The cooperation with Central Asia is a prerequisite for Korea to realize its ‘Eurasia Initiative,’” said the president. Korea aims to build the so-called “Silk Road Express,” which would connect the Trans-Korean (TKR) and Trans-Siberian (TSR) railroads by linking Busan, China, Russia, Central Asia and Europe, and integrate the economies of the Asian and European regions under its Eurasia Initiative.
“To successfully undertake the initiative, we cannot ignore the importance of cultural and people-to-people exchange as well as that of economic cooperation,” said the president. She further urged the business gathering to take steps that pave the way for more exchange among youth, as well as people involved in the areas of culture, arts, sports and pop culture, in order to widen cultural understanding between Korea and Central Asia.
President Park made reference to Ahal-Teke, a horse breed - and national emblem - of Turkmenistan, and compared it to the history of economic development. “Just as the Ahal-Teke became an excellent steed as a result of endless self discipline, in order to survive in a rugged mountainous area, we too will be able to make the Eurasia Initiative a success if both the government and companies push forward by gathering power with the spirit of challenge and talent,” she said.
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr
President Park said that her state visit to Central Asia last month yielded a remarkable outcome, particularly in terms of the economy, which can be attributed to the concerted efforts of the government and business community.
“The cooperation with Central Asia is a prerequisite for Korea to realize its ‘Eurasia Initiative,’” said the president. Korea aims to build the so-called “Silk Road Express,” which would connect the Trans-Korean (TKR) and Trans-Siberian (TSR) railroads by linking Busan, China, Russia, Central Asia and Europe, and integrate the economies of the Asian and European regions under its Eurasia Initiative.
President Park Geun-hye delivers congratulatory remarks at an open forum in Seoul on July 7. (photos: Cheong Wa Dae)
“To successfully undertake the initiative, we cannot ignore the importance of cultural and people-to-people exchange as well as that of economic cooperation,” said the president. She further urged the business gathering to take steps that pave the way for more exchange among youth, as well as people involved in the areas of culture, arts, sports and pop culture, in order to widen cultural understanding between Korea and Central Asia.
President Park made reference to Ahal-Teke, a horse breed - and national emblem - of Turkmenistan, and compared it to the history of economic development. “Just as the Ahal-Teke became an excellent steed as a result of endless self discipline, in order to survive in a rugged mountainous area, we too will be able to make the Eurasia Initiative a success if both the government and companies push forward by gathering power with the spirit of challenge and talent,” she said.
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr