The governor-general of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the president of Nauru yesterday expressed gratitude to Taiwan for its assistance during separate meetings with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) at the Presidential Office in Taipei ahead of attending the Double Ten National Day celebrations today.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Governor-General Susan Dougan said that Taiwan is respected as a “global symbol of democracy and social resilience.”
“We applaud the trailblazers of this nation who strive to maintain economic stability despite numerous global challenges, and those who through research and dedicated work continue to develop cutting-edge technologies, infrastructure development and public-sector management to respond to the changing needs of the Taiwanese people,” she said.
Photo: CNA
Dougan added that the nations established diplomatic relations on Aug. 15, 1981, and that the historic move was based on “shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
“To date, this mutual respect and bond of friendship serve to cement bilateral arrangements and cooperation,” she said.
For the past 40-plus years, her nation has benefited from support from Taiwan in all sectors, the governor-general said, adding that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines would continue to support Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.
Photo: CNA
Nauruan President Russ Joseph Kun told Tsai later yesterday that it was with “immense honor” that he was again visiting Taiwan to commemorate National Day.
He extended his government’s gratitude to Taiwan “for the invaluable assistance rendered to Nauru across various sectors, including infrastructure, health, agriculture, education and shipping.”
“Taiwan has remained a steadfast partner of the Republic of Nauru, and instrumental in our economic progress and ambition,” he said.
He applauded Taiwan for advocating peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and said that Nauru continues to see Taiwan as a model for advancing democracy, freedom, stability and economic growth.
The two leaders are among the many foreign guests invited by the government to attend this year’s National Day events. Among those arriving yesterday were Marcella Liburd, governor-general of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and a group of five Canadian senators headed by Michael MacDonald, cochair of the Canada Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group.
The largest foreign delegation attending this year’s celebrations is a 42-member Japanese parliamentary group that promotes Taiwan-Japan relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council delegation, led by its chair Keiji Furuya, arrived on Saturday and is staying until today, the ministry said.
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