Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (陳唐山) will chair Taiwan's annual conference with foreign ministers from its three Caribbean allies in Taipei today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday.
Foreign ministers from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Christopher and Nevis as well as Grenada arrived in Taipei yesterday, the ministry said in a press conference.
Eight officials, including the foreign ministers, will be attending the meeting, which will take place at the MOFA this afternoon, said Wu Chin-mu (吳進木), deputy director-general of the ministry's Department of Central and South American Affairs.
Taiwan's first annual conference with its Caribbean allies took place in St. Christopher and Nevis in 1997.
"We will discuss with our allies issues of mutual concern in depth and exchange opinions extensively. The aim of the meeting is to broaden our political, trade and cultural cooperation with the Caribbean allies and cement diplomatic ties," Wu said.
The visiting foreign ministers will visit an exhibition of stamps featuring their countries tomorrow and attend the opening ceremony of the Democratic Pacific Assembly, convened by Vice President Annette Lu (
President Chen Shui-bian (
In previous meetings between Taiwan and its Caribbean allies, the countries reaffirmed their pledge to support Taiwan's participation in the UN, the World Health Organization and other regional bodies.
Taiwan, in turn, promised to strengthen its existing trade, agricultural, tourism and cultural cooperation with its allies and help develop the countries' healthcare and information technology industries.
A senior ministry official who once participated in the conference said the meetings have boosted friendship between Taiwan and its allies.
"As a result of the meetings, Taiwan and its allies don't feel so lonely when facing China's pressure," he said.
"Our Caribbean allies are all members of the Commonwealth. They are democracies and respect human rights and freedom. In terms of these aspects, they are quite similar to Taiwan," the official said.
"Taiwan offers its allies practical help and designs aid programs according to its allies' needs in order to enhance these countries' living standard. These countries' leaders are thoughtful. They understand their nations can benefit substantially by making friends with Taiwan," he added.
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