WAM YEOSU, S.Korea, May 12, 2012(WAM)-- UAE Ambassador to South Korea Abdullah Khalfan Matar Al Romaithi officially opened the national pavilion of the United Arab Emirates at the 2012 Yeosu Expo.

Well before the opening ceremony, thousands of Korean visitors were seen queuing up in a long line outside the innovative facade of the UAE pavilion.

The edifice, themed around oceans and coasts, and complete with its graphic 'time-line' illustrating key stages in the UAE's development is organised by the National Media Council of UAE.

In his opening address, Amb. Al Romaithi conveyed to the people and government of S. Korea, greetings from UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of emirates, the people and the government of the UAE.

The Ambassador said that UAE looks forward to sharing with the with the people of Korea and the wider region, together with visitors from all the participating countries, the wonders of the United Arab Emirates, particularly those related to its coastline and surrounding seas during the 2012 Yeosu Expo period.

Visitors gave a spontaneous applause to UAE envoy when he said:" We are a young country, in only our 41st year, and, as the fa?ade of our building illustrates, we can look back on many great achievements. At the establishment of the federation in 1971, the Emirates were poorly developed with few roads, schools, hospitals or modern facilities of any kind. Oil revenues, though, were just beginning to flow and, thanks to the wisdom and leadership of our founding father and first president, Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the income was invested in building a modern infrastructure capable of supporting all aspects of social development.

We continue to be blessed by wise leadership, from our President, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, our Vice President and Prime Minister, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum, and our Cabinet. In this regard, I should like to pay special tribute to the UAE's Minister of Foreign Affairs, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is a frequent visitor to Korea, and is also Chairman of the UAE National Media Council which is responsible for this pavilion's design, construction and operations.", he said.

"We are also pleased to congratulate B.I.E. for guiding the EXPO movement and supporting this event. I hope that we will have the opportunity to welcome all the countries of the world to take part in EXPO 2020 if our current bid to host that in Dubai is successful," he added.

The following is the full text of the inaugural speech delivered by Ambassador Abdullah Khalfan Matar Al Romaithi:.

It is my honour and privilege to welcome you to the opening of the UAE Pavilion at EXPO 2012 Yeosu. We are very pleased that we have this opportunity to share with the people of Korea and the wider region, together with visitors from all the participating countries, the wonders of the United Arab Emirates, particularly those related to our coastline and surrounding seas.---MORE---.

WAM /BIM/AB