Sakhalin hopes to boost coop with SKorea after presentation in Seoul

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YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, March 30 (Itar-Tass) - Sakhalin's hopes for
boosting investment cooperation with South Korea are linked with the
region's presentation in Seoul to be staged on April 13-16, said on
Tuesday Governor Alexander Khoroshavin at a meeting with members of the
Korean mass media in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
"Presentation is the first large-sale foreign event of such type for
the Sakhalin Region. We pin on it great hopes for stepping up investment
cooperation with the Republic of Korea," the governor emphasised. He noted
that the Russian and South Korean presidents backed the initiative of the
insular region on staging the presentation.
The foreign ministries of the two countries are rendering great
assistance in its preparation.
Khoroshavin stressed that not only geographic neighbourhood on the map
links the insular region and the Republic of Korea for many years, but
also the history of forming cultural and economic relations, which should
be buttressed now. According to the governor, "especially firm and close
contacts have developed in line with human relations".
"Sakhalin and Kurile residents know and understand Korean culture
better that residents of other regions, respect citizens of that country
and their national traditions. I believe that precisely thanks to this
fact it is simpler for us to establish cultural and economic relations
with the Republic of Korea than with any other country," the governor
noted.
He described Korean reporters investment projects, which would be put
on display in Seoul during the presentation, as well as cultural and
humanitarian projects of cooperation.
Around 30,000 Koreans live now in Sakhalin and the Kurile Islands. The
Sakhalin Region puts out a newspaper in Korean, and the Korean TV channel
telecasts in the region.
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