Visiting Taiwanese Vice President Annette Lu (
Lu, heading a 152-member delegation to Guatemala, attended the regional meeting of the Democratic Pacific Union (DPU) in the the Central American country, which was held on Friday.
Representatives from 11 countries in the region, including Salvadoran Vice President Ana Vilma de Escobar, Guatemalan Vice President Eduardo Stein, Honduran Vice President Armida de Lopez and Nicaraguan Vice President Jose Rizo attended the meeting.
The five vice presidents held an informal round-table meeting after the opening ceremony.
Stein pointed out that the charter of the Organization of the Central American States stipulates that all governments are committed to solving disputes by peaceful means. Guatemalan officials said they support the Taiwanese government and the notion that cross-strait disputes be solved through peaceful means.
Stein said that Central America has suffered from civil wars for many years and has paid a hefty price for this, adding that these wars "did not solve any problems, and have only brought more misery to the people."
Rizo also said that Central America has long been a staunch ally of Taiwan and that his country supports Taiwan's bid to join international organizations.
Meanwhile, Escobar said that the DPU aims to cement democracy, adding that before a country can cement its democratic institutions, it must first develop its economy. She said she is appreciative of Taiwan for stepping up trade exchanges with all countries in the region so that Central America can develop its economy with the help of Taiwan's experience.
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