REMARKS
BY
H.E. MR. SONG MIN-SOON
MINISTER
OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE OF
THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
AT THE 14TH SAARC SUMMIT
3 APRIL 2007
NEW DELHI, INDIA
Your Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh,
Chairman of SAARC,
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I
would like to begin by offering my sincere congratulations to Your Excellency
Dr. Singh on being elected as the Chair of SAARC. I also wish to express my
deep gratitude to the SAARC member countries for inviting the Republic of Korea to this
session as an Observer.
Your Excellencies,
South Asia, the cradle of human
civilization, is currently home to one fourth of the world's population.
Located at the crossroads of the East and the West, the South Asian region has
been blessed with rich cultural heritage, and diversity of religions and
ethnicities. With these distinct qualities, this region has contributed
tremendously to the development of human civilization. And today, drawing upon
this diversity and dynamism, South Asia is demonstrating a renewed sense of vitality. In fact, the world is
admiring the rapid pace at which South Asia is turning its huge growth potential into a reality.
Moreover,
the development and integration of SAARC for the past several years has been
remarkable. With the launching of the South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA), the
framework for regional economic integration has been put firmly in place.
Furthermore, on the occasion of this New Delhi Summit, Afghanistan has joined
SAARC as a full member. In addition, five non-regional countries are attending
the SAARC Summit as Observers for the first time.
Your
Excellencies,
Ever
closer ties are being forged between the Republic of Korea and
SAARC. The economic development of SAARC countries and Korea has
brought about a growing mutual interdependence. Since the year 2000, the volume
of Korea's trade with SAARC countries has been increasing at an average rate
of 22% per year, and two-way trade reached 11 billion dollars in 2006. Korea's
direct investment in SAARC countries has also been increasing at an average of
23% per year. Up to 2006, there have
been 533 cases of Korea's direct investment in SAARC countries, amounting to a total of 1.4
billion dollars.
Also,
Korea is fully supporting SAARC, in its pursuit of various policy goals,
including the promotion of economic cooperation, resolution of social issues,
protection of the environment, and disaster relief.
On
the basis of this strong cooperative ties, the Observer status in SAARC will
generate a fresh momentum for the Republic of Korea to
further enhance its cooperation with SAARC and contribute to the advancement of
this forum. In this regard, Korea's
unique experience and expertise of its own national development will be useful
assets in its efforts to cooperate with SAARC countries. The Korean government
is willing to consult closely with SAARC
countries to develop concrete programs for cooperation. Korea is
ready to share its experience in ICT, government innovation, human resources
development as well as other areas in the economic field.
Your Excellencies,
The
vestiges of the Cold War still linger on the Korean Peninsula. The
Republic of Korea has been exerting every effort to achieve lasting peace and
stability on the Korean Peninsula. With the continued support of the international community,
including SAARC member countries, I am confident that the process of resolving
the North Korean nuclear issue will move forward in irreversible way. I look to
the SAARC member countries for their continued support in this regard.
Now
I would like to conclude by expressing my heartfelt thanks to SAARC and the
Government of India for their excellent preparations and warm hospitality. I am
convinced that the 14th SAARC Summit will indeed be a great success. And it is
my sincere hope that SAARC will continue to play a leading role in our shared
efforts for the goal of promoting stability and prosperity in the South Asian
region.
Thank
you. /END/
