PARAGUAYAN Minister of Foreign Affairs Ruben Ramirez Lezcano clearly told the international press that Paraguay will not sacrifice its diplomatic relations with Taiwan or accept this as a condition for concluding an eventual agreement between the parties, referring to an eventual agreement of Mercosur, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia, with the People’s Republic of China.
The Paraguayan foreign minister also said that the main point of the negotiations of the agreement would focus on discussing the trade imbalance, since none of the Mercosur countries has the capacity to export value-added products to that market. On the contrary, we export raw materials and import finished products.
We must remember that previously Paraguayan President Santiago Pena also told the press that the Paraguayan position is that Mercosur can negotiate trade agreements with any country, but that these should be done within the bloc as established by the Treaty of Asuncion of 1991. He also emphasized that the diplomatic relations that Paraguay has maintained with Taiwan for more than 67 years are solid and firm.
Paraguay and Taiwan share the same civic values and democratic principles regarding the full observance of the rule of law, respect for human rights, sovereignty and independence of peoples, as well as the importance of education as the main factor and source of progress and well-being of our countries. Both nations hold that only freedom and the rule of law, which is in force unrestricted, can guarantee justice and the well-being of their peoples.
Bilateral trade between the two states has grown by more than 550 percent in the past five years, which demonstrates our economic complementarity and that being allies we can collaborate jointly in the progress of our peoples.
In July last year, President Pena became the first Paraguayan president-elect to visit Taiwan and to date he has visited Taiwan twice, always highlighting the strength of the partnership for cooperation that exists between these two sister countries, that despite being geographically separated, since they are antipodes, they are united by the desire for the progress and well-being of their respective peoples.
In conclusion, I would like to recall the words of Paraguayan President Santiago Pena, who pointed out to various media outlets that he believes that the fight to defend Taiwan is worthwhile and that it could be an inspiration for other countries.
“If we can show that maintaining relations with Taiwan is in national interest, Paraguay can become a model for other countries,” the president said.
Carlos Jose Fleitas Rodriguez is the Paraguayan ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan).
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