President Ma Ying-jeou met with Republic of Paraguay Chamber of Deputies President Víctor Alcides Bogado González on the morning of February 22. The president extended a warm welcome to Mr. Bogado on behalf of the government and people of the ROC.
In remarks, the president praised Mr. Bogado for the fact that, at only 45 years old, he has already served four consecutive terms as the head of the Chamber of Deputies. President Ma said Mr. Bogado is deeply respected in the Chamber of Deputies, over which he has presided with great success. He is extremely talented despite his relatively young age.
President Ma added that the ROC presently has 23 diplomatic allies, but Paraguay is the one located the most distant from Taiwan. Despite the distance involved, Mr. Bogado has now visited Taiwan four times, which highlights the deep friendship between the two countries. The president said he is quite touched by the close bond.
The president furthermore noted that the ROC and the Republic of Paraguay have maintained diplomatic relations for 55 years. The two sides maintain close ties, he said, adding that four years ago he personally led a delegation to Paraguay to attend the presidential inauguration ceremonies there. President Ma stated that the people of Paraguay are much like the people of Taiwan—extremely friendly, hospitable, and full of enthusiasm—and he still vividly remembers his visit to Paraguay. Last year, the ROC celebrated its centenary, and Paraguay President Fernando Lugo led a delegation to Taiwan to participate in the festivities. President Ma added that he was pleased that the two leaders had an opportunity to renew their old friendship.
President Ma stated that on the evening of January 14, the day on which the ROC elected its 13-term president and vice president, President Lugo sent him a congratulatory message. President Ma expressed his hopes that, under the leadership of President Lugo and on the basis of the strong foundation that exists between the two nations, ties between the ROC and Paraguay can be strengthened even further, thereby creating greater well-being for the people of the two countries.
The delegation led by Chamber President Bogado included deputies Mirta Ramona Mendoza, Victor Raúl Yambay, Jorge Darío González, and Nelson Segovia Duarte. The group was escorted to the Presidential Office by Paraguay Ambassador to the ROC Carlos Martínez Ruiz Díaz and Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Chin-Tien Yang (楊進添). Also attending the meeting was National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Chih-kung Liu (劉志攻).