ASHGABAT, June 29 (HS/RIA Novosti) - Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov will visit Seoul to take part in the inaugural Korea-Central Asia Summit in September, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said on Monday.

Lee sent a congratulatory telegram to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, chairman of Turkmenistan's Halk Maslahaty (People's Council), on the occasion of his birthday.

This year is significant as the first Korea-Central Asia Summit will take place. It is gratifying that President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan will make his first visit to the Republic of Korea as part of this summit. I am confident … that the visit … will become an important step toward elevating bilateral relations to a new level, the telegram read, as quoted by the Turkmenistan Today state news agency.

The South Korean leader also noted that during Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov's tenure as president of Turkmenistan, Seoul and Ashgabat established a mutually beneficial partnership and achieved significant progress thanks to his special attention to developing bilateral ties.

I would like to express particular gratitude for the comprehensive support provided in June last year and March this year regarding the evacuation of Republic of Korea citizens from Iran through Turkmenistan's territory. The warm treatment and decisive actions demonstrated by Turkmenistan reflect genuine friendship with the Republic of Korea and are a clear example of how Turkmenistan, as a neutral state committed to peace and cooperation, contributed to international stability and humanitarian solidarity, Lee wrote.

Lee also expressed appreciation for the support of Korean companies' activities in Turkmenistan and their participation in key projects in various sectors, including shipbuilding and industrial facility construction, emphasizing that practical cooperation serves as an important foundation for the economic development and prosperity of both countries.

The South Korean leader added that Seoul cherishes its friendly relations with Ashgabat and hopes for their further strengthening, wishing Berdimuhamedov good health and the Turkmen people sustainable development and prosperity.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar