[Sponsored Report] Saudi Arabia celebrates national day in Korea

H.E. Ahmad Al Barrak Ambassador

The celebration of the National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the year 2011 comes while bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea are witnessing a qualitative leap forward. Both countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations in 2012.

Thanks to the wisdom and the foresight of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has succeeded in absorbing and meeting the demands and aspirations of its people. Such achievements have been carried out through a package of economic and social policies declared by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, may God bless him. These policies were based upon the Kingdom’s strive towards the continued development of the country - the renaissance march. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the great leader of reforms and change, has decided to place the Kingdom within the ranks of the world’s top countries.

The bilateral relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea has been characterized by stability, consistency and significant development as a result of the bilateral summit talks held between the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud and former President Roh Moo-hyun in the Saudi capital Riyadh on March 24-26, 2007.

The bilateral trade volume has increased by a remarkable 300 percent during the past five years. The number of Korean companies working in the Kingdom has exceeded to around one hundred.

Both countries have a keen interest on expanding mutual cooperation in various fields which will lead to enhanced cooperation in the areas of culture and education.

The Kingdom will be the fifth guest of honor at the Seoul International Exhibition to be held next year. The Republic of Korea is also invited as a guest of honor to Saudi Arabia’s Janadriyah festival - the largest cultural festival in the Arab world - scheduled for 2012.

Furthermore, since the launch of a scholarship program initiated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and mutual visits of senior officials from both countries - among them the recent visit of Saudi Minister of Higher Education H.E. Dr. Khalid Al-Anqari in October 2010 - the number of Saudi students under the scholarship program to study in Korea has doubled. Such a trend, without doubt, enhances rapprochement of the cultures and peoples of the two countries.

Both Saudi Arabia and Korea have a rich cultural legacy with unique histories and deep rooted customs and traditions. Both also have a great interest in cultural cooperation and exchanges of cultural and folklore delegations are often made during cultural weeks, joint festivals and exhibitions.

There are also various tourist attractions in Saudi Arabia. There are many relics of ancient civilizations on Saudi land and some of them date back over 2,000 years.

Some of the most famous examples are Madain Saleh, sometimes called Al-Hajar, in Saudi Arabia’s north-west, Al-Faw in the south-east and Najran in the south-west.

There are also eternal Islamic relics in Mecca and Medina, as well as coastal cities like Jeddah in the western Kingdom, facing the Red Sea, and Dammam in the east. The Kingdom also has many superb natural landscapes such as Al-Taief and Abha located on tops of Mount. Al-Hijaz and Mount. Asir. Those scenic mountain regions are also famous for their moderate climate.

Located in Riyadh, Masmak Fort represents one of the most important historical landmarks in Saudi Arabia as it embodies the beginning of the blessed efforts to unify the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It should be noted with great significance that there are cultural exchange programs between Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea to promote tourism and to get lessons from Korea’s experience to run and promote exhibitions, festivals and international conferences.

Lastly, I pray for Almighty God to grant success to the leader of the renaissance march, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, may God protect them, for their tireless efforts to promote the Kingdom to the highest position and to make the Kingdom’s people happier.

I may also pray to God for every success in carrying out my missions and enhancing the relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea.

*Congratulatory message by His Excellency Ahmad Al Barrak, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia