Visiting Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez said that his trip is intended to review bilateral cooperation and renew commitments, after his arrival in Taiwan on Tuesday, as both states mark the 66th anniversary of their official bilateral relations later this year.
Upon his arrival at Taoyuan International Airport, President Abdo said via an interpreter that he was happy that six months before his five-year tenure will conclude, he was able to visit Taiwan, which he called a “brotherly nation,” again.
The last time he visited Taiwan was in October 2018, only two months after assuming office, which also marked his first overseas trip as Paraguayan president, he noted.
His visit, which will last until Feb. 18, will be an opportunity for both governments to review bilateral cooperation projects and to renew two-way commitments, as both countries will celebrate the 66th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in July 2023, he added.
According to Abdo, some adjustments were made to bilateral cooperation projects over the past few years due to the fact that his country had experienced a serious COVID-19 outbreak and a number of natural disasters including several floods.
He thanked the Taiwan government for its assistance to his country during his tenure, stressing that Paraguay would continue to work with Taiwan in the future based on the shared values of “freedom, democracy and human rights.”
He also said he hoped that Taiwan companies would choose Paraguay as a regional hub to enter the South American market and vice versa with Paraguayan businesses using Taiwan as a hub to enter the larger Asian market, while noting that over the past five years, two-way trade and investment had increased by fourfold.
He also said that there are currently around 300 Paraguay students studying in Taiwan, saying that after gaining knowledge and experience here, they would return to Paraguay and be important members of society for promoting future two-way cooperation.
Paraguay is the only diplomatic ally of the Republic of China, the official name of Taiwan, located in South America, out of 14 states that diplomatically recognize Taipei instead of Beijing. Both countries established official diplomatic relations in July 1957.
According to the Taiwan government, during his visit, President Abdo will be welcomed by President Tsai Ing-wen (???) with a military salute before both sides engage in talks concerning bilateral cooperation projects and issues of mutual interest.
He will also witness a signing ceremony between both countries in diplomatic training and cooperation programs.
The Paraguayan leader will also attend a forum on women’s empowerment in Latin American and the Caribbean in Taiwan on Feb. 15, and a Paraguay business opportunity meeting in Taipei, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Abdo’s five-year tenure as Paraguay’s leader will conclude in August, and one of the candidates vying to unseat the country’s ruling Colorado Party recently announced he would change the country’s allegiance to China if he wins the April election.
Efrain Alegre, the presidential candidate of a broad coalition that is looking to defeat Abdo’s conservative ruling Colorado Party, told the media in January that he would cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan and recognize China instead if the opposition wins the April 30 election.
Alegre said he hoped the decision would boost soy and beef exports, Paraguay’s main economic engines.
“Paraguay must have relations with China,” Alegre was quoted as saying in a Reuters story published on Jan. 5.
“Our interests in livestock and grain sectors are currently suffering a major loss,” he added. “We hold this critical position towards relations with Taiwan because we don’t think we get enough back from this relationship.”
Santiago Pena, the Colorado Party candidate, meanwhile, said Paraguay’s over six decades of ties with Taiwan would remain intact if he won the April 30 vote.
“I do not see any change in that sense,” Pena told Reuters. “I will defend the historical relationship with Taiwan.”
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel