ID :
21885
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 14:26
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/21885
The shortlink copeid
Lee proposes 'New Silk Road' projects with Russia
By Yoo Cheong-mo
MOSCOW, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Monday proposed new railroad, energy and agricultural networking projects with Russia to upgrade the two country's bilateral partnership and economic cooperation.
Addressing a joint meeting of South Korean and Russian business leaders in
Moscow, Lee said he will seek to link the trans-Korean railway, or TKR, with
Russia's trans-Siberian railway, known as the TSR, for its eventual connection to
Europe.
Lee also envisioned closer two-way cooperation in the exploitation of Russia's
abundant oil and gas resources, as well as in the development of the farm lands
and forestry resources in the Russian Far East.
The president dubbed the railroad, energy and agricultural cooperation with
Russia the "New Silk Road" projects, referring to an extensively interconnected
network of trade routes across the ancient Asian continent.
Lee, accompanied by first lady Kim Yoon-ok and 14 official and special delegates,
arrived in Moscow on Sunday for a three-day visit, becoming the first South
Korean president to travel to Russia in his inaugural year.
"At present, it takes about 40 days to transport freight from Busan to Europe by
sea. But the transport period can be halved if the TKR and TSR are connected,"
Lee said at the meeting, held hours ahead of his summit with Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev.
"The railway link between the two Koreas and Europe via Russia would help boost
global peace and ease tensions in Northeast Asia, as well as on the Korean
Peninsula. Subsequent infrastructure construction projects surrounding the Korean
Peninsula-Europe railways will also be mutually beneficial."
Lee emphasized the importance of the so-called "energy silk road" and South
Korea's participation in the Russian Far East's forestation and agricultural
plantation businesses.
"Joint development of Russia's oil and gas resources will create enormous
synergies for both sides. Russia will secure a stable buyer of its natural gas,
while South Korea will be able to secure its own stable energy import source,"
said Lee.
The South Korea-Russia Business Forum meeting was attended by 100 South Korean
entrepreneurs and 150 Russian business executives. The participants agreed to
establish the "South Korea-Russia Business Dialogue" to actively assist their
governments' efforts to upgrade bilateral relations to a strategic partnership
level.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)
MOSCOW, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Monday proposed new railroad, energy and agricultural networking projects with Russia to upgrade the two country's bilateral partnership and economic cooperation.
Addressing a joint meeting of South Korean and Russian business leaders in
Moscow, Lee said he will seek to link the trans-Korean railway, or TKR, with
Russia's trans-Siberian railway, known as the TSR, for its eventual connection to
Europe.
Lee also envisioned closer two-way cooperation in the exploitation of Russia's
abundant oil and gas resources, as well as in the development of the farm lands
and forestry resources in the Russian Far East.
The president dubbed the railroad, energy and agricultural cooperation with
Russia the "New Silk Road" projects, referring to an extensively interconnected
network of trade routes across the ancient Asian continent.
Lee, accompanied by first lady Kim Yoon-ok and 14 official and special delegates,
arrived in Moscow on Sunday for a three-day visit, becoming the first South
Korean president to travel to Russia in his inaugural year.
"At present, it takes about 40 days to transport freight from Busan to Europe by
sea. But the transport period can be halved if the TKR and TSR are connected,"
Lee said at the meeting, held hours ahead of his summit with Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev.
"The railway link between the two Koreas and Europe via Russia would help boost
global peace and ease tensions in Northeast Asia, as well as on the Korean
Peninsula. Subsequent infrastructure construction projects surrounding the Korean
Peninsula-Europe railways will also be mutually beneficial."
Lee emphasized the importance of the so-called "energy silk road" and South
Korea's participation in the Russian Far East's forestation and agricultural
plantation businesses.
"Joint development of Russia's oil and gas resources will create enormous
synergies for both sides. Russia will secure a stable buyer of its natural gas,
while South Korea will be able to secure its own stable energy import source,"
said Lee.
The South Korea-Russia Business Forum meeting was attended by 100 South Korean
entrepreneurs and 150 Russian business executives. The participants agreed to
establish the "South Korea-Russia Business Dialogue" to actively assist their
governments' efforts to upgrade bilateral relations to a strategic partnership
level.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)
