Taipei, Nov. 23 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Thursday that he hopes to further boost the traditional friendship between the Republic of China and Paraguay.
The president made the remarks while welcoming Paraguay Ministry of Industry and Commerce Minister Euclides Roberto Acevedo Candia and his delegation, who traveled to Taiwan to attend the 12th economic cooperation conference between the ROC and Paraguay, which ran from Monday to Wednesday.
The president asked Acevedo to convey his greetings to Paraguay President Luis Gonzalez Macchi and expressed thanks for President Gonzalez’s invitation for him to visit Paraguay.
Chen noted that he had visited Paraguay a decade ago, and he is hoping to revisit the nation as ROC president to exchange views with Paraguay's president on strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation.
The president said that the two nations have maintained close and friendly cooperation since establishing relations in 1957, and that there are mutually beneficial and complementary relations between them.
The president noted that Paraguay is rich in natural resources and human power, and is one of the members of Southern Common Market, which also includes Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. He added that the ROC has ample capital and technology, and the two nations should work closely for their respective benefit.
Chen also said that the economic cooperation conference provides a forum for both sides to discuss further cooperation, and that he is confident that the economic conference will provide added momentum for bilateral cooperation.
The president also stressed that the ROC is willing to become a partner in Paraguay's progress and development. He also expressed the hope that Paraguay will continue its long-standing support of the ROC in its bid to join the World Trade Organization.
Acevedo expressed his appreciation of the ROC government and people for their warm hospitality, saying that the meeting had substantial and fruitful results through the arrangement of the ROC government.
The Paraguayan minister also reaffirmed his nation's friendship with the ROC and its support for the ROC's bid to enter into the World Trade Organization.
Acevedo said that with Paraguay's membership in the Southern Common Market and Taiwan's status as a geographic linchpin in the Asia and Pacific Region, both nations have complementary relations, and bilateral ties will be even stronger in the future.
Acevedo and his delegation, accompanied by Paraguayan Ambassador to the ROC Ceferino Adrian Valdez Peralta and ROC Vice Economic Affairs Minister Chen Ruey-long, visited Chen at the Presidential Office.