Reply by President McAleese to toast at State banquet hosted by President of Republic of Korea
Reply by President McAleese to toast at State banquet hosted by President of Republic of Korea, Seoul, Wednesday, 23 March, 2005
Allow me to thank you, Mr President and Mrs Roh, for the warm welcome you have extended to Martin and me this evening. Our visit here has been a wonderful experience from which we will take away new friendships and happy memories.
I am sure the Korean cultural event, which will follow this meal, will be strong among those memories.
Both Korea and Ireland are benefiting from the globalisation process which the world is undergoing. At the same time we succeed in maintaining the integrity of our unique identities and our wonderfully diverse, vibrant cultures grow in confidence as they are showcased to great acclaim on the world stage.
When Ireland joined the European Union over 30 years ago there were those who warned that it was the end of Ireland as a separate cultural entity. They were so wrong. Irish culture has never been more creative, more dynamic and exuberant than today. Its reach extends far beyond Ireland’s shores to appreciative audiences right around the globe.
I know that Korea’s experience in successfully balancing tradition and modernity in a globalised world has been very similar to ours and both of us can have confidence in our resilience and in the contribution we both have to make to the enrichment of our global heritage.
Mr President, I know that your background, like mine, is in law. Your particular vocation has been in the difficult but essential field of human rights. Our countries, as members of the United Nations, are both champions of a world in which human rights flourish and we know how urgent it is that more and more such champions commit to this work of underpinning and vindicating the rights of every human being. For as long as human rights are violated - as they continue to be around the world - there will be colossal waste of human talent and human potential. I pay warm tribute to your continuing personal efforts to advance the cause of human rights, to end the waste and the abuse that robs so many of peace of heart and robs the world of its true strength.
I also applaud the work you have done in promoting the reconciliation of the people of the two parts of the Korean peninsula. I, too, come from a divided island, where fear, mistrust and the forces of history have made reconciliation difficult but, thankfully, not impossible. So I understand the importance and the difficulty of your work and along with the people of Ireland, I offer you our enthusiastic endorsement and support.
Mr President, we noted in our talks today how the economic ties between Korea and Ireland are growing ever stronger. We attach considerable importance to this aspect of our relationship and to the ties of cultural curiosity and friendship, which help to cement business links. We look forward to working with you and the people of Korea to deepen and widen these ties in the interests of both our peoples.
Mr President, relations between Korea and Ireland are excellent and prospects for their positive development are very good. I am confidant that they will continue to develop and strengthen and that between us we will make a significant contribution to global solidarity, prosperity and to peace.
I propose a toast in honour of President Roh and Mrs Roh, to the happiness and prosperity of the people of Korea and to the lasting friendship of our two countries.
KAM SA HAM NI TA (Thank you).