Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew was yesterday welcomed with a military salute ceremony in Taipei.
Drew received a 19-gun salute in front of the Presidential Office Building, after which the national anthems of the two countries were played.
President William Lai (賴清德) and Drew then inspected the honor guards and military bands of the armed forces.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
Drew and his delegation arrived in Taiwan on Saturday for a five-day visit set to conclude tomorrow.
The prime minister said his visit to Taiwan held “great importance, as it fortifies the solid foundation [between the nations] built over four decades.”
Congratulating Lai on his election victory in January, Drew said he believed the president’s inauguration on May 20 marked “the beginning of a promising chapter for Taiwan and we look forward to strengthening our ties further under your guidance.”
He also expressed his gratitude to Taiwan for the decades of technical assistance and other support, capacity building and international advocacy it has given his country.
“As friends, the government of Saint Kitts and Nevis is always ready to use its influence at international forums to advocate for values and principles that we share with Taiwan,” he said.
Drew said he believed Taiwan “has a vital role” in the global economy with its exports of quality goods and services.
“Additionally, Taiwan’s contributions to global efforts in addressing pandemics, climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster preparedness, food and livelihood security, and rapid urbanization, are all invaluable,” he said.
Lai said that Drew’s frequent visits to Taiwan demonstrated the leader’s high regard for bilateral ties.
Drew is making his second state visit to Taiwan since taking office in August 2022, having last visited in November 2022.
Lai said that both countries uphold the shared values of democracy and human rights, with bilateral partnership continuing to deepen across all domains since Taiwan and Saint Kitts and Nevis established diplomatic relations in 1983.
He also thanked Drew for “calling for justice and demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan on the international stage,” adding that both governments would work together to advance the well-being of their countries’ peoples.
Drew’s delegation includes his wife, Diani Jmesha Prince-Drew, and senior Cabinet members, including Saint Kitts and Nevis Minister of Foreign Affairs Denzil Douglas, Premier Mark Brantley, Cabinet Secretary Marcus Natta, Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office Naeemah Hazelle, Special Envoy for Healthcare Frank Laws and Director General of Information Services Bernice Matthew.
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