1st Vice Minister's Congratulatory remarks at ground-breaking ceremony for new Korean Embassy in Israel

Honorable Meir Sheetrit, Member of Knesset,
His Excellency Nissim Ben-Shetrit, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Representatives from the Government Press Office and Police,
Representative from the Herzliya Municipality,
Ambassador of Thailand, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,
Honorary Consul Generals of the Republic of Korea,
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

I would like to thank you all for attending this ground-breaking ceremony today. It fills me with great pride that we are building our embassy here in the Herzliya municipality named after Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism. I have been informed that Herzliya municipality is famous for beautiful scenery and also for being the hotbed of numerous hi-tech start-up companies. No wonder it is dubbed 'Silicon Wadi' of Israel!    

What makes today's ceremony all the more momentous is the fact that Korea is the first Asian country to build a new chancery in Israel, instead of renting or purchasing an existing building. This site and the soon-to-be-built building  will become the first asset owned by the Korean government in the 'holy land'. The message is clear : the Korean government is very much committed to continuing and further deepening its friendship with Israel.   

Speaking of friendship, I believe we have a truly blossoming one. Yesterday, I had the honour of signing the Agreement on Working Holiday Program between our two countries. This Agreement will encourage the young people of Korea and Israel to learn more about each other. Familiarity will no doubt open new windows of cooperation. The future of our bilateral relationship is indeed bright.

Having our embassy at the heart of the Silicon Wadi will have its own benefits too. There will be plenty of fresh opportunities to marry my government's zeal for creative economy and Israel's finest in the hi-tech field. We can inspire each other to reach even greater heights.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

When it comes to constructing a new embassy building, our usual practice is to let Korean companies take charge. Not so here. We will have the Menorah group from Israel to oversee the construction work of our building, which in itself is a perfect illustration of the deep trust that exists between our two countries. I have no doubt that the brand new Korean embassy will be a renowned landmark in Israel that reflects our treasured friendship.

Toda Laba. (* ‘Thank you' in Hebrew)
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