St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew arrived in Taiwan yesterday for a visit that would include discussions with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on bilateral cooperation projects, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Speaking at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Drew said Taiwan and St Kitts and Nevis are “friends and partners in international development,” adding that his four-day trip aimed to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two allies.
“We stand today under the solid platform of diplomatic engagement, which has resulted in practical and tangible solutions for many of the challenges we face as one of the smallest nations in the world,” said Drew, who was elected prime minister in August.
Photo: Yao Chieh-hsiu, Taipei Times
Drew, a former medical doctor, added that his nation would continue to lobby for Taiwan’s inclusion in international forums.
“We are convinced that Taiwan can make a contribution [and help] to solve some of the world’s most challenging problems,” he said. “I am here to learn as much as I can from the Taiwanese experience in building its economy, and exchange ideas and methods related to development and cooperation, and thereby strengthen our bonds and friendship.”
Tsai present hold a military salute to welcome Drew and his delegation, the ministry said.
Drew would also meet with Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), and visit the Mainland Affairs Council, the Environmental Protection Administration and the National Health Insurance Administration, among other government agencies, it said.
Other members of Drew’s delegation include St Kitts and Nevis Minister of Foreign Affairs Denzil Douglas, Nevis Premier Mark Brantley, Minister of the Environment Joyelle Clarke, and Junior Minister for Youth Empowerment and Social Development, Gender Affairs, Aging and Disabilities Isalean Phillip.
Also yesterday, Wu accepted the credentials of Donya Lynex Francis, St Kitts and Nevis’ new ambassador to Taiwan.
Francis earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees during a six-year stint studying in Taiwan, the ministry said.
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