President Chen Shui-bian (
"Under the leadership of President Blaise Compaore, and with support from congressmen, your promotion of economic and political reform has already earned you international recognition," Chen said during his speech.
Taiwan and Burkina Faso were previously under the control of colonial rulers during similar periods in time, Chen said. Burkina Faso was a French colony at roughly the same time Japan controlled Taiwan.
PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES
"Both countries should work together to promote freedom, democracy and mutual prosperity and work together to create equality in the international community for sovereign states," Chen said.
President Chen yesterday also praised the contribution of a Taiwanese agricultural and technical mission.
Chen visited two reclamation areas, including a 1,000-hectare rice paddy (
"The first thing I will do after returning to Taiwan is award medals to all agricultural and technical mission members to honor their contribution," Chen told delegation officials.
Taiwan sent the agricultural and technical mission in 1994 at the request of the Burkina Faso government to help the nation develop its food production.
The 12 members of the mission successfully cultivated 1,000 hectares of rice paddies this year.
Chen and President Compaore also praised the agricultural and technical mission with a banquet, saying the group did tasks that others cannot or are unwilling to do.
"The ones who contribute the most to relations between Burkina Faso and Taiwan as well as the peace of world are the mission's members and their families," Chen said.
"The people of Burkina Faso have to survive with the most limited natural resources and the worst conditions. The agricultural and technical mission brought to them the most helpful assistance. Instead of giving them fish, they gave them fishing nets," Compaore said, adding that it is understandable why the people of Burkina Faso have much appreciation for Taiwan.
At the banquet, Chen again thanked Burkina Faso for its support for Taiwan's participation in the UN and other international organizations. Calling Ouagadougou the cleanest city in Africa, Chen greatly praised Compaore for his achievements in developing the nation.
Chen also reaffirmed that he would carry out all cooperation projects and agreements with Burkina Faso in the future and promised to continue agricultural assistance.
Before the banquet Compaore decorated Chen with the Order of Grande Croix, Burkina Faso's highest national honor, in recognition of his contribution to promoting bilateral ties.
Chen is the first Asian head of state to visit the African country.
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