Chairman Shin of KBPFA extols Belarus for giving up nukes

Ambassador Natallia Jhylevich of the Republic of Belarus hosted a reception at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on June 27, 2014 to celebrate the National Day of her country and the 22nd anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Belarus.

There were many distinguished guests from Korean society and from the internatioal community as well as the Diplomatic Corps in Korea.

Among the Korean guests were Rep. Shin Geh-Ryeun (chairman of the Korean-Belarusian Parliamentary Friendship Association), Korean Honorary Consul Yoon Kyoung-Dok for Belarusia (president of IK Semicon), President & CEO Kim Seung-Dong of LS Networks of the LG Busienss Group and Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post.

From the Dipomatic Corps came many mission chiefs who included Ambassadors Hocine Sahraoui of Algeria, Carlos Victor Boungou of Gabon, Nikoloz Apkhazava of Georgia, Dulat Bakisher of Kazakhstan, Ngovi Kitau of Kenya, Duishonkul Chotonov of Kyrgyzstan, Kejjo Bien of Marshall Islands, Ceferino Adrian Valdez Peralta of Paraguay, Konstantin V. Vnukov of Russia, Mamadou Ndiaye of Senegal, Myrat Mammetalyyev of Turkmenistan, Mohamed Ali Nafti of Tunisia and Vasyl Marmazov of Ukraine. There also 2ICs at the embassies, who included Charge d'Affaires Bakhtier N. Ibragimov of Uzbekistan.

Welcoming the guests, Ambassador Jhylevich of Belarus said, ?The year 2014 would be marked as a leap forward in laying grounds for furthering bilateral ties: the regional office of the Korea Trade and Investment Promotion Agency has started to function in Belarus. It marks a milestone in our cooperation which has already translated into a tangible result. We hope that the joint efforts by the Korean SK Hynix and the Belarusian Softeq would sharpen their competitiveness and strengthen their R&D capacity.” (See excerpts from the speech at the end of this Article.)

In response to the welcome speech of Ambassador Jhylevich of Belarus, Chairman Rep. Shin Geh-ryeun of the Korean-Belarusian Parliamentary Friendship Association made a congratulatory speech and it was followed by another contratulatory address by Korean Honorary Consul Yoon Kyoung-Dok for Belarusia.

Chairman Shin especially praised Belarus for its abandonment of nuclear weapons development for the sake of economic development and growth and expressed hopes such a development could occur on the Korean peninsula, too, for the benefit of the Korean people. Shin said he expected the contributionof the Belarusian people toward that end.

Excerpts from the speech of Ambassador Jhylevich of Belarus:
It is my honor and my pleasure to welcome you at the Reception on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Belarus.

This year marks the 22nd Anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Korea.

It is with great pleasure that we observe positive dynamics in bilateral cooperation these years. Joint efforts aimed at facilitating political dialogue, strengthening economic ties, expanding people-to-people contacts as well as deepening mutual understanding and supporting each other at the international arena have virtually shortened the geographical distance between Belarus and Korea.

Today the results of our cooperation embrace progress in bilateral trade, implementation of dozens of projects in science and technology, active students’ exchange and a vibrant cultural dialogue.

My special thanks go to H.E. Mr. Shin Geh-Ryeun, Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and President of the Parliamentary Group “Belarus ? Korea”. Thanks to His Excellency inter-parliamentary ties contribute greatly to mutual understanding between the two nations.

The year 2014 would be marked as a leap forward in laying grounds for furthering bilateral ties: the regional office of the Korea Trade and Investment Promotion Agency has started to function in Belarus. It marks a milestone in our cooperation which has already translated into a tangible result. We hope that the joint efforts by the Korean SK Hynix and the Belarusian Softeq would sharpen their competitiveness and strengthen their R&D capacity.

I am happy to say that the first step was made 20 years ago by Mr. Юн Кён Док, Honorary Consul of Belarus in Korea with semiconductors. Mr. Юн Кён Док has demonstrated the mutually advantageous prospects inherent in the cooperation between the two economies.

Team work in research and development covers ITC (information and communication technologies), nano-technologies, bio-technologies, health science, new materials, renewable resources. In a word, mutually advantageous activities in innovations and state-of-the-art technologies which make up the core of the creative economy.

I would like to thank our good friends from the Pocheon City Administration for their unwearying work aimed at supporting mutually beneficial ties with the twin city of Mogilev in Belarus.

We cannot forget the “Sewol” tragedy that has caused numerous human losses. It is right to emphasize that, Belarus having experienced the Chernobyl accident, we are ready to share the knowledge as to how to create a reliable emergency system. Friendly ties of many years standing between the Belarus Ministry of Emergency and the Korea National Emergency Administration would sure contribute to advance their functioning.

Now that the Customs Union by Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan opens up new opportunities, removes barriers and broadens the geography of trade and economic cooperation, we are looking with new hope at a most impressive prospect lying ahead of us.

I am sure that with your invaluable support we will open a new era of dynamic relations between Belarus and Korea.

Excerpts from the contratulatory speech of Chairman Shin:
It is my great pleasure and honor to join you this evening to celebrate the Independence Day of Belarus.

On behalf of the National Assembly, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the people of Belarus on this occasion.

Belarus has never invaded other countries, but throughout its history, political interests of the neighbors turned the country into a battlefield. From this point, I believe, Belarusians know the value of peace and love to other people.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Belarus was the first country to step forward and voluntarily scrap the nuclear arsenal. Belarus also joined the NPT and has strived to promote a safe and sound international community. I would like to applaud your country for these exemplary efforts.

To preserve peace on the Korean Peninsula, it is very important to follow the principles set by the June 15th South - North Joint Declaration.

Taking into account example of patience and fortitude, Belarus displayed throughout its history, I expect Belarusian people can contribute to peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula.

Even though Belarus and Korea lack natural resources, their advanced science and technology and excellent human resources have resulted in great industrial and economic development. I believe these similarities have played a role in building the friendship we share today.

I am confident that vibrant exchanges between Parliaments of the two countries, governmental bodies, as well as business entities will contribute to further strengthening bilateral ties between Belarus and Korea for the benefit of people of our countries.

Once again, I extend my sincere congratulations on the National Day of Belarus.

I will contribute to strive closer Belarus-Korea relations.

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