Your Excellency Mr. Bouasone Bouphavanh,
Distinguished members of the Lao delegation,
and the distinguished guests,
It is a great honor to have with us Your Excellency Bouasone Bouphavanh, Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic tonight. On behalf of the Korean people and government, I would like to extend my warmest welcome to Your Excellency and the Lao delegation.
Excellency,
We had very productive and fruitful discussions in our meeting this afternoon. I am so glad to have this opportunity to exchange views and ideas on matters of our common interest with Your Excellency, a man of great insight.
Korea and Laos enjoyed the excellent relationship since our two countries reestablished the diplomatic relations in 1995. Prospects for closer economic cooperation between our two countries have never been brighter.
From 2006 to 2007, the trade volume between the two countries tripled, and Korea’s investment in Laos is now expanding into construction and energy areas beyond the labor-intensive field which has attracted most of Korean invertors thus far. I am confident that this trend will highly benefit both the Korean and the Lao economy.
Laos is one of the very rapidly growing economies in the world with an annual growth rate of more than 7%. I believe Prime Minister Bouasone’s great leadership has played a key role in achieving this remarkable development of the Lao economy.
Laos is recently gaining reputation of a highly attractive investment destination for foreign investors. I have no doubt that Laos will no longer be a land-locked country. Rather, it will stand as a land-linking country, serving as a center for trade, logistics and transportation in the region.
I heard that last December a New York Times article about "The 53 places to go in 2008" put Laos on the top of the list. I think more Korean tourists will be interested in visiting Laos given that Laos has many permanent cultural heritage sites including Luang Prabang which is designated as world cultural heritage by the UNESCO.
I am delighted to learn that the Prime Minister's Cup Taekwondo Tournament was held for the second time in Laos last May. I believe the Tournament is an excellent example of the active cultural exchanges between our two peoples. Also, I am happy to hear that Korean television programs, movies and songs are now very popular among the Lao people.
Excellency and distinguished guests,
Korea and Laos have long been reliable friends in the regional and international arenas, including ASEAN and the United Nations. Especially, Laos has stood firm in support of Korea's efforts to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula as well as in the East Asian region. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Lao government for its unswerving support, and also hope that the two nations will continue to join forces as partners for peace and prosperity.
Mr. Prime Minister,
Your visit to Korea will be a catalyst for further strengthening the existing friendship between Korea and Laos. I sincerely wish that Your Excellency and your delegation will reap fruitful results from this visit, and take home with you pleasant memories of Korea.
Excellency,
Distinguished guests,
To the good health of Prime Minister Bouasone and the eternal prosperity of Laos, and everlasting friendship between our two peoples, I would like to propose a toast.
Yokjuck.
Pheua Mittaphab!
이 누리집은 대한민국 공식 전자정부 누리집입니다.
