AKIPRESS.COM - South Korean President Moon Jae-in vowed efforts to further develop his country's bilateral ties with Uzbekistan Thursday, saying the country was at the heart of his new foreign policy concerning Eurasian countries, the Yonhap News reported.

"South Korea now seeks to pursue "New North Policy" that aims to promote peace and prosperity not only in the Korean Peninsula but all of Eurasia," the president said in a congratulatory message marking the start of a Korea-Uzbekistan business forum attended by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The Uzbek leader arrived here Wednesday on a four-day state visit.

"As part of the new policy, the country plans to establish a new economic cooperation committee for cooperation with Eurasian countries and pursue joint projects in various areas including the economic, transportation and energy sectors," Moon said. "At the center of this plan, there is Uzbekistan, which is a key nation in Central Asia."

The South Korean president said this was why he invited his Uzbek counterpart on a state visit to Seoul.

"I invited Uzbekistan's president as the first head of state from a Central Asian nation to visit the country, and I will continue to maintain the friendly relationship between the two countries," he said, according to a script of his message released by his office Cheong Wa Dae.

Moon and Mirziyoyev were set to hold a bilateral summit later in the day. The Uzbek president will later attend a state dinner hosted by Moon and his wife.

He will leave South Korea on Saturday.