Taipei, Feb. 10 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian decorated Paraguayan Vice President Luis Alberto Castiglioni Tuesday with one of the nation's highest commendations in recognition of Castiglioni's contribution toward cementing bilateral ties between the Republic of China and Paraguay.
In a ceremony held at the Presidential Office, Chen conferred the Order of Propitious Cloud with Grand Cordon on Castiglioni in recognition of the Paraguayan vice president's efforts that have helped accelerate friendly and reciprocal exchanges between the two countries.
On hand to witness the event were Vice President Annette Lu, as well as Castiglioni's wife, Paraguayan Finance Minister Dinoisio Borda, Paraguayan Ambassador to the ROC Ramon Antero Diaz Pereira and ROC Foreign Affairs Minister Eugene Chien.
During the ceremony, Chen offered his congratulations again to Paraguayan President Oscar Nicanor Duarte and Castiglioni for winning the 2003 presidential election.
Chen also asked Castiglioni to relay his appreciation to President Duarte for boldly speaking out in support of the Republic of China in the U.N. Assembly.
For his part, Catiglioni said that since President Duarte took office, he has mapped out useful and resourceful policies on domestic affairs as well as foreign relations, including continued support for Taiwan in its bid to join the United Nations and other international organizations.
On behalf of the Paraguayan government and people, Castiglioni expressed his support for Taiwan's holding of a referendum next month on the issue of Beijing's deployment of missiles aimed at Taiwan. "Referendums -- which are a basic right of the people and in line with democratic values -- should by no means be restricted because of external suppression or military intimidation," Castiglioni said.
Castiglioni also expressed his gratitude to the ROC government for its assistance to Paraguay in many areas, as well as his admiration for Taiwan for its accelerated democratization and economic prosperity.