Park stressed the importance of bilateral economic cooperation and asked them to support the efforts of Korean companies to participate in major projects there, according to a statement released by the president’s office.

Park visited Turkey from August 14-18 and met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Speaker of the Grand National Assembly Mustafa Sentop. They discussed ways to explore joint business opportunities in large infrastructure projects in Turkey’s neighboring countries, as well as ways to promote cooperation in the defense industry.

In a meeting with Erdogan, Park said: “The construction of the 1915 Canakkale Bridge went ahead ahead of schedule. If completed, the bridge will become an important symbol of the bilateral relationship between our two countries. ”

He called on the president to pay special attention to Korean companies in Turkey so that they can continue to participate in the country’s infrastructure projects. He also expressed the hope that Korean companies will expand their business not only in Turkey but also in neighboring countries.

The construction of the Canakkale Bridge is a joint $ 3.7 billion project between Korean and Turkish builders. It is expected to produce the longest suspension bridge in the world, connecting the European and Asian parts of Turkey.

Erdogan agreed with Park’s point of view and they agreed to seek joint business opportunities in third countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus, building on the successful experience of jointly building the Canakkale Bridge.

In meeting with Turkish leaders, Park also sought to strengthen Korea’s diplomatic foothold in the international community by seeking their support to improve MIKTA – an interregional advisory group made up of the middle powers of Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey and Australia – for a summit mechanism. He also asked for Turkey’s support for Korea’s non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, as well as for its membership in the UN Human Rights Council.

After her visit to Turkey, Park flew to Azerbaijan on Thursday to meet with President Ilham Aliyev and Sahiba Gafarova, speaker of the country’s parliament.

Park and Aliyev discussed ways to strengthen the engagement of Korean companies in Azerbaijan’s large-scale projects, including non-oil industrial development, infrastructure modernization and rehabilitation of Karabakh.

“Korean companies are particularly interested in plans to build a petrochemical and gas processing complex ($ 3 billion) and a combined cycle gas-fired power plant ($ 1 billion),” Park said. .

He requested Aliyev’s support for the participation of Korean companies with technology and experience in building smart cities.

Recognizing the successful implementation by Korean companies of various projects in Azerbaijan, Aliyev expressed his hope that Korean companies will participate in future projects, including the rehabilitation of Karabakh, and transfer their technology and experience. Aliyev, who has shown keen interest in cooperation with Korean companies, asked Azerbaijani Ambassador to Korea Ramzi Teymurov to organize an investment tour to Seoul before the end of the year.

By Shin Ji-hye (shinjh@heraldcorp.com)