Speech
State Dinner for the President of the Republic of Korea
Greetings, Ladies and Gentlemen and in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, English, Maori, Cook Island or Raraotongan Maori, Niuean and Tokelauan - Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa lahi atu, Taloha Ni.
Anyong Hasminida
Your Excellency President Roh Moo-hyun and Mme Kwon Yang-suk, Ministerial Representatives of the New Zealand Government - Minister of Agriculture and Biosecurity Hon Jim Anderton, Minister of Communications Hon David Cunliffe, Your Excellencies, Distiguished Guests ladies and gentlemen.
Your Excellency President Roh, I want to begin by thanking your for visiting us here in New Zealand. Just a few months ago, you were kind enough to host my predecessor Dame Silvia Cartwright in your beautiful country, and we are delighted that you have found the time to accept our invitation to visit here. So it is with great pleasure that my wife Susan and I, on behalf of all New Zealanders, welcome you to our shores.
Your Excellency, New Zealanders value greatly the relationship, which has gained strength from the days when New Zealand soldiers stood alongside you at the time of conflict on the KoreanPeninsula.
We and other members of the international community also stand alongside you now as you seek pathways to build a sustainable and secure future with your northern neighbours.
Your visit to New Zealand is timely as we look at not only how we relate to each other today but also, more importantly, how we can develop our relationship for future generations of our peoples.
I am very pleased to see that we are now putting in place linkages which will enable us to intensify that relationship in years to come. I have been made aware of the nature of the agreements you have signed up on today. Earlier this week, I attended an aspect of the Korean Film Festival here in Wellington and observed how wonderful it is to see our two thriving film industries collaborating in this way.
Your Excellency, the Republic of Korea's dynamism and outstanding economic progress in recent years is a tribute to both a long term vision and an unquestioning commitment to hard work.
Combined with a strong respect for human rights, democracy, and an open trade environment, Koreans and New Zealanders have much to share. These values build common understandings.
The desire by both Koreans and New Zealanders to experience and, increasingly, settle in our respective countries is a reflection that we both have a lot to offer each other. These personal and business links bring us closer.
This wish to collaborate at the personal level is a catalyst across the relationship. New Zealanders, in part due to our geographic location, are especially attuned to the importance of engaging with the international community and continually creating new linkages.
The links that Korea and New Zealand are developing in science, research and technology and the aforementioned film industry are exciting gateways to cooperation across global boundaries.
Your Excellency, your visit here offers a great opportunity to reflect on what our two countries share and on the warm friendship that binds us.
Ladies and gentlemen, may I ask you to rise for a toast.
His Excellency President Roh Moo-Hyun, President of the Republic of Korea.