Taipei, Jan. 24 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian once again expressed his eagerness Monday to see Taiwan and Paraguay sign a free trade agreement (FTA) to further bolster bilateral business ties between the two diplomatic allies.
Chen said that if necessary, he would travel to the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion in person to sign the FTA with Paraguayan President Nicanor Duarte Frutos.
The president made the remarks when he was meeting with visiting Paraguayan Vice President Luis Alberto Castiglioni Soria and his wife at the Presidential Office.
Chen expressed appreciation for President Duarte's support voiced at the United Nations last September for Taiwan's bid to join the organization and other world bodies.
Chen also expressed his admiration for President Duarte's attending his second-term inauguration May 20 last year, saying that Duarte was the first leader of a Republic of China ally to visit after he won re-election.
He and Duarte pledged at that time to promote the signing of an FTA between the two countries, the president said.
Chen expressed the hope earlier this month that he could travel to Paraguay this year to sign the FTA. The president voiced his hope when he bestowed the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon upon visiting speaker of the Paraguayan House of Representatives Oscar Ruben Salomon Fernandez.