Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

Taipei, Feb. 17 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian met with a delegation from the Paraguayan Senate Tuesday, saying the group's visit will help boost bilateral relations and encourage Taiwanese business people to invest in the South American country.

The Paraguay senatorial delegation, headed by Senate Speaker Carlos Mateo Balmelli, arrived in Taipei Monday for a weeklong visit.

Chen said relations between the Republic of China and Paraguay have been cordial since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1957.

Last year, Chen said, Taiwan lawmakers formed a Taiwan-Paraguayan parliamentary amity association for further boost bilateral parliamentary exchanges and cooperation.

For his part, Mateo said his mission wants to take advantage of the current visit to express Paraguay's gratitude for Taiwan's financial aid for renovating his country's parliament building. The renovation project was completed last summer.

Mateo said he and his colleagues will do their utmost to further promote cooperation between the two countries in the future.