[naewoeilbo내외일보]Lee Su Han이수한 기자=H.E Excellency Park Neunghoo Minister of health and welfare, Representative of the Korea Government, Excellencies Members of the National Assembly, Excellencies Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic, consular and military corps, Representatives of governmental and private sectors, media associations and civil society, Distinguished Guests!

May peace be upon you all!

At the outset, we extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to you for your attendance in this meaningful day, in which we celebrate the glorious 49th national day of the Sultanate of Oman.

Over the past decades of the modern renaissance, Sultanate of Oman, under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos has seen a qualitative and quantitative development and cultural progress and shift along the land of Oman in all sectors, steered the country to the shores of safety, stability, security and prosperity. The country has been established on solid grounds of equality, rule of law, cooperation and institutional integration, built a modern state, planned well for everything that saw a successful prime, with citizens sharing the responsibility of nation building.

Within the framework of foreign affairs and diplomatic policy, Sultanate of Oman has established a moderate approach, based on building bridges of friendship with all countries of the world on the basis of mutual respect, non-interference in the internal affairs of others, good neighborliness and positive cooperation to achieve the common and mutual interests of all parties. Working towards settling disputes and differences through dialogue and peaceful means, and spreading the values ​​of tolerance, understanding, coexistence and peace.

Omani diplomacy was able to achieve an effective presence and reach to success which left its mark and positive image locally, regionally and internationally that earned Oman the respect and trust of the international community as a whole. In that, Oman has become a place for consultation and dialogue between all parties to achieve peace and stability for all.

To continue the deep experience of Oman and its belief in morality and shared values, and to implement the directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos on fostering relations among the nations, and on the occasion of the national day, Sultan Qaboos Declaration Project on United Human Values was unveiled at the celebration of the International Day for Tolerance held in Jakarta, Indonesia on Saturday Nov 16.

The Declaration is based on a human civilizational trilogy to achieve coexistence and acquaintance among human beings, it is represented in human beings of mind, justice and morality. The Declaration aims to help a turbulent world to rise again and achieve a balanced future where people enjoy dignity and basic human rights. The project involves improving lives, adopting a global system of ethics and nurturing spiritual values.

Distinguished guests,

Concerning the economic affairs, the economic strategy is based on principles of openness to global markets and economic diversification besides building solid free economic and industrial zones which offer many projects and investment opportunities and incentives in various sectors including manufacturing, logistics, mining, fisheries, ICT, energy and others.

Distinguished guests,

Omani-Korean relations have witnessed progress in various political, economic, cultural, defense and other fields. This was reflected in the high-level exchange visits between the two countries and the bilateral cooperation agreements. We consider Korea as an important partner and we are proud of this continuous development in the relationship between our two friendly countries.

The Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Korea plays major efforts in promoting, enhancing and expanding the relation and prospect of cooperation to include various fields. Hoping Korean companies will take the given opportunities and incentives in the national development strategies and economic diversification strategy ‘Oman Vision 2020 and 2040’in recent years. The Embassy reaffirms its support, and we are confident that the solid platform which we have established in recent years will pave the way for further growth and cooperation between the two friendly countries.

Distinguished guests,

In conclusion, I would like to renew our thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, all government and private sectors in Korea, and to all friendly Korean people, for their continued support and cooperation. Thanks are due to all of you for honoring us with your kind presence. Wishing you all a good time and best wished to Omani-Korean relations, further development and progress, wide hope for security, stability and peace to the Korean peninsula and the whole world.

Thank you.

May peace be upon you all.