Visiting Prime Minister of Eswatini Cleopas Sipho Dlamini said he was looking forward to his first-ever trip to Taiwan after touching down at Taoyuan International Airport on Sunday afternoon.
In his address upon arrival at the airport, Dlamini, who assumed office as the African kingdom’s prime minister in July 2021, expressed gratitude for the invitation extended by Taiwan’s government to visit.
“Our relationship dates a long way back to 1968 when we achieved independence. For all these years we have enjoyed a cordial relationship,” he said.
He said that both allies have “benefited immensely” from this relationship with Eswatini supporting Taiwan at international events while Taiwan supports Eswatini’s development.
Aside from scheduled meetings with senior government officials, including President Tsai Ing-wen (???), the prime minister said his delegation would also meet with local business representatives that have invested in the African kingdom.
According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Dlamini’s delegation also includes his wife and acting director of Public Prosecutions Lomvula Hlophe, and Tambo Gina and Thabsile Mlangeni, respectively minister and principal secretary of economic planning and development.
MOFA said in a statement released Saturday that Taiwan and Eswatini will celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations in September. It looks forward to working with the African ally to deepen bilateral ties, the ministry added.
Eswatini is one of a handful of absolute monarchies in the world and one of 14 states to maintain diplomatic relations with the Republic of China, Taiwan’s official name, and the only one in Africa.
Formerly known as Swaziland, Eswatini’s current ruler, King Mswati III, has reigned over the landlocked country in Southern Africa since 1986.
MOFA did not give a scheduled date for the delegation’s departure.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel