In an attempt to gain know-how from seasoned trade negotiators among the nation's diplomatic allies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun to increase the number of visits to Taipei by veteran WTO representatives.
Ambassador Romel Adames, Panama's permanent representative to the WTO, wrapped up his five-day visit to Taipei yesterday.
His Honduran counterpart, Dacio Castillo, is slated to reach Taipei on Monday, the ministry said.
"The Panamanian official is the first ambassador to the WTO that the foreign ministry has invited to visit Taiwan," said Wang Lo-chin (王若琴), deputy director-general of the ministry's Department of Economic and Trade Affairs.
"Taiwan entered the WTO not too long ago, so we have attempted to learn from these seasoned trade officials," Wang said.
The nation's accession to the global trading regulatory body was realized more than a year ago, after about 12 years of negotiations.
Wang said that Adames' heated discussion on Thursday with members at the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research on WTO-related issues -- ranging from negotiation skills and progresses in various trade negotiations -- showcased the nation's eagerness to learn from its diplomatic allies that have more WTO experience.
Also yesterday, the ministry announced the upcoming five-day visit by Castillo.
During his stay in Taipei, the Honduran official is slated to visit Legislative Yuan speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平); Mainland Affairs Council Vice Chairman Chen Ming-tong (陳明通) and Tsai Lien-sheng (蔡練生), director general of the Intellectual Property Office of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Castillo is also to meet with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco Hwang and visit some cultural and economic establishments, such as the Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park.
The ministry also announced yesterday upcoming visits by a string of other foreign dignitaries who are scheduled to arrive tomorrow.
Guelengdouksia Ouaidou Nassour, president of the parliament of the Republic of Chad, is slated to lead a six-member delegation to Taipei for a six-day visit.
Inge Lonning, deputy president of the Norwegian parliament, is to lead another six-member delegation for a six-day visit.
German parliamentarian Georg Fahrenschon will lead a nine-member delegation on a seven-day visit. The delegation will also include German parliamentarian Stephan Mayer and member of the European Parliament Alexander Radwan.
Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, the minister of education from The Vatican -- the nation's only European diplomatic ally -- will visit Taipei for six days.
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