It is an honor to be able to share with NdN Media Group & The Seoul City Magazine this special year 2020, in which all the countries are facing the difficult circumstance of fighting against the spread of Covid-19 in the world, and the experience of the Republic of Korea in reducing this disease in its territory, is one of the emblematic examples and most positive in the world. .
In the year 2020, we commemorate the 209th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Paraguay. More than two hundred years ago, in the Heart of South America, brave men and women executed the emancipatory deeds with the ideal of an Independent Republic. Since then, two great cultures converge in Paraguay, the Spanish and the aborigines Guarani, of which we have inherited our two official languages, Spanish and Guarani.
Today, Paraguay has an active role in the international community, and the different international forums. Since the assumption, in August 2018, of President Mario Abdo Benitez to the first magistracy of the Republic, in accordance with the guidelines, defined and executed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Paraguay is working very hard at the regional and world level to strengthen our bilateral and multilateral relations, which allow us to face the challenges of our own development, such as poverty reduction, the creation of jobs, mainly for young people, and technological development.
Paraguay participates very actively in the construction of a strong multilateral system, in which international law prevails. A country with external projection is a country that generates opportunities for its people. This is even truer for Paraguay, whose main literary figure, Augusto Roa Bastos, described it as an "island surrounded by land". For this reason, the Government of Paraguay will continue to strive for the strengthening of its relations with all the countries with which we maintain diplomatic relations. Paraguay, as a country without maritime coasts, therefore; faces diverse and particular challenges, typical of this geographic condition, which is why, it has implemented a proactive policy of diversification of its international relations, in the political, economic and commercial sphere. In this sense, our country is strengthening its presence in Asian countries. Likewise, for the Paraguayans, regional integration, through the construction of Mercosur, economic block that includes Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay, is a must, not an option.
Today, Paraguay is a vibrant democracy and has one of the most prosperous and fastest growing economies in the region. Paraguay gives a relevant role to the rule of law, respect for human rights and a political system based on democracy.
The Republic of Korea, for the past 58 years, has been a nation close to the affections of the Paraguayan people and a strategic ally to achieve the desired development. Although both countries are geographically distant and historically different, Paraguay and Korea share various commonalities. Solidarity has been a strong element in our relationship. In 1965, Paraguay opened its doors to thousands of Korean immigrants, who, in search of a new beginning, left from the Port of Busan towards the Land without Evil, Paraguay. In addition, this year, 55 years since the arrival of the first group of Korean migrants to Paraguay, the Korean community, composed of approximately seven thousand people, is an active part of Paraguayan society.
The relations of friendship with the Republic of Korea have not only been strengthened over the past five decades, but have reached a point of maturity in its various manifestations. In this regard, it is worth mentioning the permanent support that Paraguay has shown and demonstrated to the Republic of Korea in the different international forums, as a natural way of expression between two nations that share common values and interests and, very particularly, to be one of the most important strategic allies for Paraguay. The Paraguayan Government has the interest to strengthen the relationship with the Government of the Republic of Korea, through the progress and the realization of a Strategic Partnership for the coming years.
Likewise, President Abdo Benitez has expressed his firm and strong support to President Moon Jae-In in all bilateral and multilateral negotiations currently undertaking by the Republic of Korea, which main objective is the pacification and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

I must mention that Korean cooperation represents an important source of support for Paraguay, to advance in the path of progress and well-being. The strategic areas for cooperation up to the year 2020 consist of Health, Water, Transport (road development and aviation), Urban, and Rural Development. I take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the Government and people of Korea for your continues cooperation, mainly through KOICA.
In addition, the relations between the parliamentarians of both countries have been strengthened, and I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for the visit of ten Korean parliamentarians to Paraguay, last year.
Paraguay is one of the most open economies in the world. We understand that interaction with the world is a primordial element to generate development. Alliances are considered essential as a way to improve global integration.
Legal stability and respect for foreign and national investments is also one of the fundamental axes of our state policy followed by the current Government. In this context, we invite businessmen from Korea to visit Paraguay and evaluate the many opportunities for investment we have in our country, which has abundant human and natural resources for the development of competitive businesses worldwide. In addition to its qualified young people, its fertile land, having a large reserve of fresh water and being a great producer of food and renewable energy, among others, our country has tariff and non-tariff advantages for the access of its products in the countries of the region. Up to the present, numerous companies and entrepreneurs of the Republic of Korea have installed and are in the process of installing their factories, companies and ventures in various economic sectors of Paraguay, taking advantage of the multiple advantages and guarantees offered.
Also, Paraguay is part of MERCOSUR, and Korea have started negotiations with the aim of signing a Trade Agreement, to promote a greater relationship in the economy sector, providing more opportunities for businessmen of both Parties. During 2020, the fourth round of negotiations has been carried out and other negotiation rounds are planned for this year.
Indeed, in addition to the strong political and cooperation relations, the commercial pillar is an important part of our relationship, from which Korean and Paraguayan businessmen are increasingly benefit. In this way, Paraguayan companies offer Korean consumers products from the rich Guarani land, such as the natural sweetener known as stevia, yerba mate, chia, sesame, meat products, charcoal, soy and derivatives, leather, among other products.
In the eagerness to become a knowledge economy, Paraguay is strongly committed to train and educate its citizens and public servants. The Government of Korea has collaborated in this task by providing undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, to Paraguayan young people, who come to this country attracted by the prestige of Korean education. Strong support for Education has always been the secret of the most develop countries and, in this case, the main pillar of the "miracle" of Korea. In this regard, I would also like to express my gratitude to the Office of Education of the Province of Chungbuk, which through its cooperation has trained, until this year, more than two hundred teachers and donated equipment and teaching materials for schools in Paraguay.
In the other hand, I must say that for the first time Paraguay, in December 2018, was elected as a member of the Board of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) for the period 2019-2020, which demonstrates a desire for a better and greater international insertion of Paraguay and creation of conditions for cooperation in environmental matters. As for the efforts to modernize the government and the service, it provides to its citizens, Paraguay and Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in E-Government.
The cultural sector is fundamental for the understanding of different nations and that is why we find ourselves, together with the Korean institutions, working in various projects that will allow us to further strengthen the friendship between our people.
Lastly, I would like to extend a fraternal greeting to the dear compatriots, residents in Korea and in the concurrent countries, who contribute to the development of these nations and enrich them with the Guarani culture. Paraguay always waits with open arms for the return of its citizens in order to build together a country with greater well-being and happiness for all of us to live in a blessed land.