Taipei, May 21 (CNA) Vice President Annette Lu on Friday expressed the hope that relations between the Republic of China and Paraguay can be further strengthened.
Lu made the remarks when she hosted a luncheon in honor of the visiting Paraguay President Nicanor Duarte Frutos and his wife.
The vice president noted that the ROC and Paraguay have had
diplomatic relations for 47 years. Though the two countries aregeographically distant, they are close in the way they share the same ideals of love for peace, freedom and democracy.
She expressed the appreciation for Duarte's friendship and support to Taiwan.
The vice president also said that she believed every guest in the luncheon, whether they are men or women, are writing history, and she hoped that everyone can work toward the goals of improving human rights, democracy, peace and justice.
On Duarte's part, he expressed appreciation to Lu for leading a delegation to attend his inauguration last year, which he said cemented bilateral relations and friendship.
As a small inland country, he said that Paraguay has a history of fighting for freedom, democracy and justice, and he hoped that both countries will work even closer together.
Attending guests also included Nobel Peace laureate Betty Williams, former Chairman of the U.S. House Committee of International Relations Ben Gilman, former U.S. Congressman Lester Wolff, former American Institute in Taiwan Chairmen Natale H. Bellocchi and Richard C. Bush, Vice Chairman of the foreign relations committee of the Hungarian parliament Maryas Eorsi, as well Minister of Foreign Affairs Tan Sun Chen and Overseas Affairs Commission Chairwoman Chang Fu-mei.