Address by H.E. Mr. Кonstantin V.Vnukov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation, at the reception on the occasion of the Russian Diplomatic Service Day

Esteemed Deputy Minister Kim Jae-shin,

Esteemed Heads of Foreign Missions in the Republic of Korea,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am very glad to welcome all of you at the traditional reception on the occasion of the Russian Diplomatic Service Day. Our professional holiday, which is marked this year for the 10th time, is aimed at the confirmation of the value of deep traditions of the Russian diplomatic service and underlining a very important role of the diplomacy in the modern world.

Nowadays the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Dmitry A. Medvedev, assigns the main task to the Russian diplomats which is to assist the comprehensive modernization of the country and to set out its economy on the path of innovations as well as to create favorable external conditions for that.

I am pleased to notice that among our priority partners in modernization an important place without any doubts belongs to the Republic of Korea, relations with which are among the priorities of the Russian foreign policy in Asia Pacific.

I am convinced that in the year 2011 by our joint efforts we will realize all large-scale agreements reached by our two Presidents last November, and will enhance bilateral political and economic relations to new heights of the real strategic partnership. I would like to assure our Korean colleagues that in order to reach these important goals the Embassy of the Russian Federation will show high professionalism, creative work approach and ability to generate fresh ideas.

Summing up, I would like to thank our good friends from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, other ministries and departments, public organizations of the Republic of Korea, and also my dear colleagues - Ambassadors of foreign countries for your invaluable help and support. Without your support it would be impossible to achieve such a great success.

I wish all the guests and my colleagues, present at the reception, good health, prosperity and new success in your activities.

Thank you for your attention.

Let me propose a toast to the friendship and cooperation between our countries!