President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday morning met a delegation led by Paraguayan Senate President Silvio Adalberto Ovelar Benitez and thanked the South American country for supporting Taiwan on various international occasions.
Members of the delegation also include Second Vice President of the Chamber of Senators Hermelinda Alvarenga de Ortega and Senator Pedro Alejandro Diaz.
Tsai first thanked the Paraguayan government and its bicameral Congress for conveying their condolences after the massive earthquake that struck the nation on April 3.
Photo: Makoto Lin, EPA-EFE
Tsai said that since she first took office in 2016, relations between Taiwan and Paraguay have deepened in every aspect — from education to medical care, agriculture and women’s rights.
The two countries have jointly established Taiwan Polytechnic University Paraguay to develop talent in the high-tech industry, she added.
Paraguayan President Santiago Pena Palacios and his administration have been supportive of Taiwan by frequently speaking for the country on various international occasions, which is important as it enables Taiwan to participate in the global community.
Photo: Screen grab from the Presidential Office’s Web site
“We hope that members of the delegation will continue supporting Taiwan and facilitate exchanges of all levels between the two countries, and that this mutual support will serve as a model for democracies around the world,” she said.
Ovelar said that Paraguay’s firm support for Taiwan remains unchanged.
“President Pena has expressed staunch support for Taiwan in various international events not because of the bilateral relationship and partnerships in education and technology; it is a sincere and profound bond between the two countries,” he said.
The percentage of women participating in society in Paraguay is getting higher, Ovelar said, adding that there would soon be a female president in the country.
Ovelar reiterated the Paraguayan government’s unwavering position toward Taiwan when he met with president-elect William Lai (賴清德).
Lai said Pena and his government have taken actions to firmly support Taiwan’s international participation.
“They have spoken up for Taiwan in the general debate of the UN General Assembly, the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the International Criminal Police Organization Conference and the World Health Organization Executive Committee and other occasions,” he said.
Lai invited Pena, Ovelar and members of the delegation to attend his inauguration ceremony on May 20.
“Taiwan is willing to continue to deepen its friendship and cooperation with Paraguay,” Lai said, describing it as a friendship between “two brotherly states.”
By working together, “we can safeguard the democratic, free way of life, face challenges with confidence and jointly bring prosperity to both countries,” he added.
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