Heads Of Government

"It has been complicated for the past four years (2017–2021) and it will continue to be complicated. But maybe it is also healthy having to work with people who don't agree with you on everything."

"We have depended on donor countries for scientific development for so long. It's time we commit more resources in our national budget to advance science and technology."

"You don't know what you have until you lose it."

"President Danilo Medina of the Dominican Republic has ignored our long-term partnership, the wishes of the people of the Dominican Republic, and the years of development assistance provided by Taiwan, to accept false promises of investment and aid by (mainland) China."

"Our bilateral cooperation with China has played a significant role in the transformation of our key development sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, ICT, trade, mining, transport, as well as tourism."

"I am representing the El Salvadoran people to show you how grateful we are and our satisfaction now that we have restored our diplomatic relations (from Republic of China to the People's Republic of China)."

"The Nordic countries have the opportunity to take the lead in global climate efforts. We're ready to take on this role. We know that it's difficult to prioritize, but we must accept our responsibility. We have to show people, and not least the younger generations, that we mean what we say, and that we practice what we preach."

"As of today, a digital identity for Monégasque people and Monaco's residents is becoming a reality. It is allowing for new and safe ways to meet the needs of everyone living in the Principality."

"Muslim nations that refuse to recognize Kosovo are making a big mistake."

"Kurti and his extremists should not think that in the future they will succeed in banning Serbs in Kosovo from voting, notably in April 3 (2022 Serbian general) elections."

"With a 97 per cent vaccination rate (against COVID-19 as of July 2021), it is a tremendous result, and it shows that the majority have chosen to be vaccinated for the safety and wellbeing of the country, and for our children."

"Kosovo is an independent and sovereign state and should be treated as such."

"We won't sacrifice our ties with any of our allies or good friends over business relations with another country. We firmly believe no country in the world can restrict our sovereign decision to make friends with another country."

"I would like to express my deep gratitude to all the servicemen (Russian peacekeepers and the Artsakh Defense Army) standing in the defense of the motherland, as well as to all members of the peacekeeping force and personally to Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose direct efforts have thwarted Turkish aspirations in the region."

"We are now (December 2021) working hard to draft a new law that will provide a fair and sustainable solution to the payroll system in the public sector."

"There has been a number of concerns expressed about the loss of productivity that this measure (COVID-19 curfew hours) is having. We need to get back to normal but, of course, to do so safely. This is not to say that we are abandoning work from home totally; it will be an option but not a requirement."

"Universality is a basic principle of the UN (United Nations). And based on that principle, we support the inclusion of Taiwan within the United Nations system."

"We seek greater integration of markets, trade, connectivity, private investments and tourism. Cape Verde wishes to position itself as an air and digital hub in Africa and integrate regional value chains in trade and industry."

"Mai presus de orice orgoliu și de orice adversitate politică se află interesul românilor."

"We are here to serve the state. Nobody came to stay permanently. So without any doubt, I can leave my post as PM (prime minister) any time and another PM will come. I don't want to talk about this subject, I am calm, everybody is calm, we continue to do our work. It is normal that there are differences between the president (Umaro Sissoco Embaló) and me. It's a situation that has nothing to do with it."

"The Republic of Somaliland is committed to working with democratic nations such as the US. We profoundly discussed Somaliland-US relations, stability, development, vibrant democracies and elections."

"I am grateful that you all have given me your trust with this important (Prime Minister) role to lead our government for the next four years. I hope that we work together as one House (Legislative Assembly)."

"One of the Korean nationalists who was shattered by the failed campaign for Korean nationhood in Paris was Syngman Rhee. Born in 1875, Rhee had spent six years in prison for nationalist activities. He then moved to the United States, where he was the first Korean to get a US PhD (from Princeton in 1910). Rhee was a tireless editor and publisher of nationalist texts during his long exile in the United States. At the core of all of them was the need to get US support for the just Korean cause. Appealing to Woodrow Wilson in 1919, Rhee had called out: “You have already championed the cause of the oppressed and held out your helping hand to the weak of the earth’s races. Your nation is the Hope of Mankind, so we come to you.” Twenty years later Rhee had still not given up hope of US support. Right before Pearl Harbor he published a book predicting that Japan would attack the United States and that the best hope for a US victory would be an alliance with nationalists on the Asian mainland, including (prominently) in Korea. Rhee envisioned Korea as a modern country that embraced its Confucian past. The president of the Republic of Korea in exile, as he now styled himself, wanted a Korea invigorated by US technology and management methods, but within the constraints of traditional virtues. As much as he hated the Japanese, he despised Korean radicals who wanted a socialist country after liberation. They were nothing but stooges of the Russians, Rhee thought. Just like some Koreans had joined up with the Japanese, others had ended up in bed with the Soviets. To Rhee they were defectors who had to return to true Korean nationalism, which—with US assistance—would build a new nation under his leadership."

"It (widespread travel bans imposed against Botswana due to the emerging of Omicron coronavirus variant) is unnecessary and if you ask me, for lack of a better expression, irresponsible. The (four) diplomats (who tested positive for the Omicron coronavirus) came from a number of countries ... and they passed through a number of countries to get to Botswana."

"In assuming the position of President of this Republic on this important day, I need your support, your prayers and blessings to effectively fulfil the Presidential Oath that I have just taken. I once again pledge to play my part and to do my outmost best to address the needs of the people of this nation and to work with you to realise both our dreams and our vision as a nation."

"On this second anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Korea, which finds the United States and other members of the United Nations aiding your people in the common purpose of repelling a savage and ruthless Communist invader, I convey to Your Excellency and to the people of Korea the good wishes of the people of the United States. The American people have watched with great satisfaction the impressive achievements of the Republic of Korea since its founding 2 years ago. I know that the aggressor will be repelled and that the people of Korea will achieve the freedom and independence which are their natural right. By a stanch adherence to the principles of right and democracy, victory is assured."

"It is expressive of the determination of the Korean Army to fight back against great odds of their willingness to die rather than suffer defeat."

"When possible, children should be comfortable and free when they are playing or studying, and it is the way in a civilized country to make them more comfortable by not being too strict and giving grace and love at the same time."

"Funds raised from diamonds have not just built our roads, but also our people."

"Since we are developing a lot of small and medium-sized enterprises, we are trying to make all these industries free by the private sector to increase productivity nationwide to make things for domestic use and export, and at the same time create jobs so that there is no unemployment."

"Our government's program says Lithuania wants a more intense economic, cultural and scientific relationship with Taiwan. (But) I want to emphasize that this step does not mean any conflict or disagreement with the 'One China' policy."

"An unprecedented disaster hit Tonga."

"I'm sure that the people of Tonga feel the loss of this great leader of the Pacific. Our thoughts and prayers are with New Zealand."

"Daily I pray for the joint success of our arms, for clear skies so that the planes of the United States Airforce may search out and destroy the enemy, and for the earliest possible arrival of sufficient men and material so that we can turn to the offensive, break through the hard crust of enemy forces and start the victorious march north. I have no slightest doubt in the ultimate victory of our cause; I know that both right and might are on our side."

"The people of North Korea are the same as the people of South Korea. All are loyal to the land of their birth with the very few minor exceptions of foreign trained and foreign directed communists. This war is not a conflict between North and South; it is a conflict between the few who are communists, who by an accident got control of half of our country, and the overwhelming mass of the citizens of Korea, wherever they may live."

"The fact that you buy our diamonds is by itself an act of commitment to our country- wherever you are, you carry a bit of Botswana with you"

"Please care for it, because we care about it. Please use it wisely, because we have used it wisely."

"The Soviets are winning a victory in their Cold War. First of all, they give Communist agitators money, weapons, and propaganda literature in order to incite discord among the people. Then they organize Communist supporters into bands of terrorists, murderers, and thieves, commit murders, burn, and turn all human society into a hell."

"They are doing everything possible to create confusion. In acting this way the Communists increase their strength, and expand and deepen their influence. The more they steal the more money they get. With this money they commit murders and other subversive activity. But terrorists cannot be able to count on anyone everywhere. They are forced to use all their capabilities for their own defense and such a situation continues all the time. They cannot continue the struggle. Sooner or later they are forced to surrender. This is just what happened in China and in other places."

"29 years ago, on 4 April (1991), Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation established diplomatic relations. The bonds of friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding have tied our countries and peoples together for many centuries. Azerbaijan highly appreciates its relations with the Russian Federation."

"I will approach my office as chancellor with great seriousness and respect because there is an incredible amount to do."

"Today, Uzbekistan is rapidly developing. Carefully preserving the wisdom of past generations, we are consciously going towards resolute reforms and are committed to forming a new image of the country. The political activity is growing with profound reforms are being implemented in all spheres. Their goal is to build a democratic state and a just society, where the priority is implementation of a simple and clear principle – “The human interests come first”."

"Today, humanity is at a turning point in its path of development and the nature of international relations is changing dramatically. The transnational threats to peace, security and sustainable development are growing. The climate is rapidly changing. The mass migration flows are increasing and traditional values are declining."

"As is known, free life in a just society was the cherished dream of our people for centuries. In the name of achieving this sacred goal, they fought selflessly, courageously overcoming the most difficult trials on their way. No foreign yoke and violence could break the people in their noble striving for freedom."

"Life is a struggle, a competition. Who will be strong in this fight? The one who is smart, educated, works hard. Today, young people should feel the attention of our state, read a lot, increase their knowledge and continue to develop."

"The authority of the teacher is, first of all, the authority of the nation, of the whole people."

"It should be noted first and foremost that any nation, any people with the great goal of building a free and just life of a just society in its country, is going through a difficult, thorny and complex path of development."

"It should be noted that along with profound achievements in independent development, our path has not been without some mistakes and shortcomings. The processes themselves, aimed at abandoning the totalitarian regime and building a democratic society, at that difficult and alarming time sharply posed various problems and tasks for us."

"We are all aware that an important role in the development of our countries is played by young people, who constitute the majority of the population in the region. Today, when all over the world the struggle for the minds and hearts of the young generation continues, we need to educate our youth, on whom the future of Central Asia depends, in the spirit of patriotism, respect for national and universal values."

"At present, science, knowledge and intellectual potential are in demand more than ever."