President Chen Shui-bian met with Paraguay's Chamber of Deputies President Victor Alcides Bogado Gonzalez and his delegation on March 7 at the Office of the President, discussing bilateral trade issues and sharing their experiences in promoting democracy.
As 2007 will mark the 50th anniversary of Taiwan-Paraguay diplomatic relations, the president, therefore, said to the guests, "Paraguay is Taiwan's most important diplomatic ally. The two countries are obliged to carefully maintain the existing relationship and look forward to further breakthroughs."
Taiwan reinstated its beef import from Paraguay last October. The president told Chamber President Alcides and his colleagues that Paraguayan beef enjoyed high competitiveness on Taiwan's market. The guests appreciated the president's compliment and hoped that Taiwan would raise the import quota of Paraguayan beef.
Democracy and human rights are beyond geographical borders. "Taiwan and Paraguay both advanced from authoritarian regimes to democratic countries and were once under the rule of martial laws. After this bitterness, we should be more appreciative the sweet of fruits of our democracy," concluded the president.
The other guests attending the visit included Paraguayan Deputies Victor Oscar Gonzalez Drakeford, Simon Benitez Ortiz, Carlos Maria Soler Cano, Atilio Penayo Ortega, Juana Del Puerto, Norma Maciel, Julio Colman, Osvaldo Ramon Ferras Morel, Mario Alberto Coronel Paredes, Juan Jose Vazquez, and Miguel Corrales, and the president wished all of them an unforgettable stay in Taiwan.