On the occasions of the 27th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan and 26th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea, Uzbek Embassy threw a dinner reception on Aug. 31st evening last month in a downtown hotel Seoul.

After gaining independence, Uzbekistan took a worthy place in the world community. Over the years, a great creative work has been carried out. Human honor and dignity are exalted, well-being of people is ensured, appearance of its cities and villages has radically changed. Due to independence, we gained freedom, revived ancient traditions, said Uzbek Amb. Vitaly Fen in his contribution article to several medias

This noble work, taking into account modern requirements, is consistently and systematically being continued by the President of our country Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Uzbekistan is implementing foreign policy based on principles of peace and cooperation, mutual interest, respect and trust, without interference in the internal affairs of other states, according to Fen.

For the NDNnews(www.ndnnews.co.kr) as well, Uzbek envoy has been maintaining a mutual close relation as Uzbek Amb. Fen received the Best Amb. Award last spring from the NDNnews & Korea Amb. Friendship Culture Association with several envoys together including Indonesia Amb. Umar Hadi and Ghana Amb. Agyarko Kusi etc,, to name just a few.

Following content were the chief contents NDNnews bestowed this year's Best Amb. Award upon Uzbek envoy. -Ed.

2018 Best Amb. Award

H.E. Vitali V. Fen, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Korea

Having been served as Uzbekistan Amb. during almost 18 years from last 1995 until 2013 including excellent dean role from the Seoul Diplomatic Corps. many years, Your Excellency presented an emblematic example model case for cooperations with Korea among many envoys accredited to the Republic of Korea.

Thanks to Your Excellency’s crucial hub role for increasing bilateral relations in the meantime, the relations between Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea within a short period of time have reached the level of Strategic Partnership that greatly contributed to furthering and strengthening multifaceted bilateral cooperation relations and elevated them to a new qualitative level. With the recent opening of the Uzbekistan Trade Representation Office In Songdo as a momentum further, Your Excellency has been also showing many interest in propelling economic free zone development as well as its activation in Uzbekistan, regarding the Republic of Korea & Incheon Free Economic Zone as its role model for the economic development of Uzbekistan.

In recognition of Your Excellency's excellent activities & dedication so far as Uzbekistan top envoy in terms of being in the van of strengthening bilateral exchange cooperations as well as boosting Uzbekistan country's image, The NDNnews & SeoulCity magazine bestow 2018 Best Amb. Award upon Your Excellency.

Ideas and initiatives forwarded by President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Action Strategy defined for 2017-2021 is opening wide opportunities for deepening socio-economic reforms, further strengthening trade, economic and investment cooperation with other states, according to the Embassy of Uzbekistan Seoul.

The foundation of bilateral relations between our states was laid on Dec. 30, 1991, when the Republic of Korea was among the first countries to recognize Uzbekistan's independence. Subsequently, diplomatic relations were established on Jan. 29, 1992. Ever since, our countries have been engaged in vigorous political dialogue. The intensity of close cooperation can be manifested by the fact that over the past 26 years there have been 15 summit meetings between our heads of state, said 2nd secretary Mr. S. Sadikov from the Embassy Uzbekistan Seoul on the venue.

Further advancing and deepening bilateral cooperation, regular dialogue between the leaders of the two countries that has become one of the hallmarks of Uzbek-Korean bilateral relations played an important role.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid a state visit to the Republic of Korea at the invitation of President Moon Jae-in on Nov. last year. The historical state visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Republic of Korea was comprehensively fruitful and determined new prospects of mutually beneficial cooperation between two countries, according to Uzbek Embassy Seoul.

Today Korea is among the most important economic and investment partners of Uzbekistan. Over the past 10 years the trade turnover between the two countries has increased fourfold while the total volume of the announced Korean investments into the economy of Uzbekistan exceeded $7 billion.