President Tsai receives credentials from new Burkina Faso Ambassador to ROC Aminata Sana/Congo
On the morning of September 19, President Tsai Ing-wen accepted the credentials of the new Burkina Faso Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of China (ROC) Aminata Sana/Congo in a ceremony at the Presidential Office. The president warmly welcomed Ambassador Sana to her new post in Taiwan, and called for enhanced cooperation and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
After accepting the ambassador's credentials, President Tsai, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC, cordially welcomed Ambassador Sana to her new post. Noting that the ambassador formerly served as Burkina Faso's Minister of Development of the Digital Economy & Post, the president stated that her visitor is an outstanding young female political leader who was in close contact with Taiwan during her time as a cabinet minister. Her appointment by Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Christian Kabore as ambassador to Taiwan highlights the great importance that Burkina Faso's government attaches to our bilateral relations. President Tsai also asked Ambassador Sana to convey her regards to President Kabore.
Commenting on relations between the two countries, President Tsai pointed out that Taiwan and Burkina Faso have enjoyed strong bilateral cooperation and an excellent friendship since official diplomatic ties resumed 23 years ago in 1994. Taiwan and Burkina Faso completed a very successful 11th meeting of the Mixed Commission of Cooperation in September 2016, and a 12th meeting is scheduled to take place in 2018. The president expressed confidence that, with the assistance of Ambassador Sana, bilateral cooperative relations will certainly grow even stronger.
President Tsai pointed out that political, economic, cultural, and educational exchanges between Taiwan and Burkina Faso have steadily taken on increased depth and breadth in recent years, and the two governments have identified agriculture, public health, vocational training, and solar energy as the four main focal points of cooperation. Taiwan will continue working to enhance bilateral cooperation and exchanges in the spirit of "steadfast diplomacy and mutual assistance for mutual benefits."
The president also thanked Burkina Faso for its staunch, long-standing support for Taiwan's international participation. Taiwan, as a member of the international community, has also sought to contribute to that community, and this intention remains unchanged. In the future, Taiwan hopes that Burkina Faso will continue to speak out in support of Taiwan's international status to give Taiwan more opportunities to engage with the rest of the world.
President Tsai stated that Ambassador Sana is young and promising, and expressed confidence that she will be able to inject renewed vitality into bilateral relations. The president also voiced hope that the ambassador can serve as a bridge for communication between the governments and peoples of the two countries during her posting to Taiwan, and contribute to greater mutual understanding so that the friendship between Taiwan and Burkina Faso will grow even stronger and flourish.
Finally, President Tsai once again welcomed Ambassador Sana to her new post in Taiwan and extended her best wishes for a successful tenure, for continued stability in bilateral diplomatic ties, and for beneficial cooperation.
Among those on hand for the ceremony were Secretary-General to the President Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) and Minister of Foreign Affairs David T. Lee (李大維).