New Year Message of Amb. Khamsouay Keodalavong of Laos in Seoul

The following article was contributed to by Ambassador Khamsouay Keodalavong of Laos in Seoul The Korea Post on the occasion publication of a New Year Special Report on the countries with increasing volume of cooperation with Korea in various fields.?Ed.

At the outset, I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik The Korea Post and all his members for friendly and kind cooperation with the Embassy of the Lao PDR in Seoul in the past years. I also express my gratitude for giving me the opportunity to deliver some words and new year messages through The Korea Post.

I am very happy to be accredited as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Lao PDR to the Republic of Korea, a land of the miracle. Korea is a wonderful country that has very strong economy as well as riches of various cultures and beautiful nature which filled with remarkable natural scenery, ancient temples, thriving cities, beautiful beaches and most important is friendly people with ancient history.

In the past two decades, since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the Lao PDR and the Republic of Korea on 25 October 1995, the relationship and the cooperation existing between our two countries has been continuously expanded with a lot of fruitfully achievement.

The exchange between our high level government officials have taken place continuously. In 2004, former President H.E. Roh Moo-hyun of the ROK visited the Lao PDR during the ASEAN Korea Summit and ASEAN Plus Three Summit in Vientiane. In 2013, H.E. Choummaly SAYASONE, President of the Lao PDR visited the ROK. Both Speakers of National Assemblies and both Prime Ministers have also exchanged the visits continuously. Especially a visit to the Lao PDR of H.E. Mr. CHUNG Ui Hwa, Speaker of the Korean National Assembly and a visit to the Lao PDR of H.E. Hwang Kyo-Ahn, Korean Prime Minister in January and December respectively last year were remarkable for the significant year of the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between our two countries.

The Lao PDR and the Republic of Korea are enhancing and expanding various bilateral economic cooperation. The trade volume between the two countries is increasing year by year. Korean Investment in the Lao PDR is now ranks 4th among the largest Foreign Direct Investment countries. After operation direct flight between our two countries and one side visa exemption for Korean nationals by the Government of Laos, the number of Korean tourist year by year has been increases.

For this new year, I will do my best and will work closely with the Korean Government and People to implement the commitment of our two leaders and our two peoples. I will take more effort to strengthen the bilateral relations between our two countries.

On this auspicious occasion of a new year 2016, may I express my warmest greetings and best wishes to the Government and people of the Republic of Korea. May I also wish the friendly relations between the Lao PDR and the Republic of Korea further develop to a new height and prosperity for the mutual benefit for our two peoples.

Taking this opportunity, I also wish Mr. Chairman and all members of The Korea Post have very good health, happiness and achieve a greater success in your careers and your lives throughout the New Year 2016.

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