President Lee Jae Myung on Aug. 28 holds phone talks with Tajikistani President Emomali Rahmon. (Office of the President)

By Lee Jihae

President Lee Jae Myung on Aug. 28 held his first phone talks with Kyrgyzstani President Sadyr Zhaparov and Tajikistani President Emomali Rahmon, discussing cooperation in energy and infrastructure and preparations for next year's Korea-Central Asia Summit in Korea.

President Lee's spokesperson Kang Yu-jung in a written briefing that day said he discussed cooperation in the development of bilateral relations with each Central Asian country.

In his talks with President Rahmon, President Lee thanked him for sending a congratulatory letter on his election, saying, "Let's work together to further stimulate bilateral exchange and cooperation that have developed since official relations began in 1992."

The Tajikistani leader responded by saying, "With the launch of Korea's new administration, I hope that both countries cooperate to enhance bilateral and Korea-Central Asian relations."

The two leaders lauded their close bilateral cooperation in development assistance and spoke on how to expand cooperation in rail and transportation infrastructure.

"We hope Tajikistan sends its first workers to Korea this year under the Employment Permit System," President Lee said. "This meaningful measure will contribute to the expansion of people-to-people exchange and promotion of economic cooperation between both sides."

They also agreed to maintain close communication to prepare for the Korea-Central Asia Summit next year.

Earlier that day, President Lee in another phone call thanked his Kyrgyzstani counterpart for congratulating him on assuming office.

On the occasion of the Lee administration's launch, the two chief executives agreed to further develop their comprehensive cooperative partnership.

President Lee said, "We hope to strengthen practical cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in the supply chain and energy sectors given the latter's abundance of mineral resources and potential for water-based energy development."

He also asked President Zhaparov to pay closer attention to Goryeoin, or ethnic Koreans in Central Asia, in Kyrgyzstan.

The two leaders also agreed on close cooperation in preparation for next year's Korea-Central Asia Summit.

jihlee08@korea.kr