Arriving in Taiwan yesterday, Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez said he aims to review bilateral cooperation projects and renew commitments between the nations ahead of the 66th anniversary of official diplomatic relations later this year.
Speaking through an interpreter at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Abdo said he was happy that six months before his five-year tenure ends, he could visit again.
Calling Taiwan a “brotherly nation,” he said that the last time he visited was in October 2018, his first overseas trip as Paraguayan president, only two months after assuming office, he added.
Photo: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EPA-EFE
His visit, which lasts until Saturday, is an opportunity for both governments to renew their commitments to each other and review bilateral cooperation projects, as they are to celebrate the 66th anniversary of diplomatic ties in July, Abdo said.
Some adjustments were made to bilateral cooperation projects over the past few years, as Paraguay had a serious COVID-19 outbreak and a number of natural disasters, including several floods, he said.
He thanked Taipei for assisting his country during his tenure, saying that Paraguay would continue to work with Taiwan based on the shared values of “freedom, democracy and human rights.”
He also said he hoped that Taiwanese companies would choose Paraguay as a regional hub to enter the South American market and vice versa, adding that over the past five years, two-way trade and investment had increased fourfold.
There are about 300 Paraguayans studying in Taiwan, and after gaining knowledge and experience, they would return home to become important members of society and possibly promote two-way cooperation, Abdo said.
Of Taiwan’s 14 diplomatic allies, Paraguay is the only one in South America. The nations established diplomatic relations in July 1957.
During his visit, Abdo is to be welcomed with a military salute by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) before they discuss bilateral cooperation projects and issues of mutual interest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
He is to witness a signing ceremony between the two countries for diplomatic training and cooperation programs, the ministry said.
Today, the Paraguayan leader is to attend a forum on women’s empowerment in Latin America and the Caribbean, and a Paraguay business opportunity meeting in Taipei, it said.
Abdo’s five-year tenure ends in August. Efrain Alegre, the presidential candidate of a broad coalition vying to unseat the conservative Colorado Party, last month said that he would cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan and recognize China if the opposition wins the presidential election on April 30.
Alegre said he hoped the decision would boost soy and beef exports, Paraguay’s main economic drivers.
“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 said. “We hold this critical position towards relations with Taiwan because we don’t think we get enough back from this relationship.”
Colorado Party candidate Santiago Pena said that Paraguay’s more than six decades of ties with Taiwan would remain intact if he won.
“I do not see any change in that sense,” Pena told Reuters. “I will defend the historical relationship with Taiwan.”
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