Today, on May 7 (Taipei local time), President Chen Shui-bian and Paraguayan President Nicanor Duarte signed a joint communiqué that reiterated the two countries' conviction in democracy, human rights and anti-terrorism, and firm support for each other, including in Taiwan's bid to participate in the United Nations and the World Health Assembly.
Conclusions of the joint communiqué included: reiterating the principles of democracy, peace, justice, and respect for human rights; recognizing representative democracy as necessary; acknowledging President Duarte's support for Taiwan's participation in the United Nations and the World Health Organization; guaranteeing to coordinate and cooperate in order to facilitate the investments and trades between the two countries.
Earlier today, President Chen also visited the "Home of New Path," a shelter for Paraguayan stray children, unveiled with Paraguayan President Duarte a housing project in a slum area donated by the Taiwanese government, met with Paraguayan Vice President Luis Alberto Castiglioni, was interviewed by EFE of Spain, BBC of the UK, and three local newspapers of Paraguay, and was presented with the Key to the City of Ciudad de Colonel Oviedo, President Duarte's hometown.
"Oviedo es mi casa. Somos amigo. Somos hermanos. Viva Oviedo. Viva Paraguay y Taiwan!" President Chen hailed in Spanish when giving his remarks at the unveiling ceremony for the housing project donated by Taiwan in Ciudad de Cononel Oviedo. "Oviedo is my home; we are friends and brothers; long life for Oviedo, Paraguay and Taiwan," said the president.
In the ceremony President Chen also told his Paraguayan friends that Taiwan, once an aid recipient in the international community, is very much willing to render help to those in need, and that Taiwan is happy to participate in the housing project initiated by President Duarte in order to fight the problems of slums and poverty.
In the afternoon President Chen met with Vice President Castiglioni at the hotel, telling him that though Taiwan is already a sovereign country, its citizens' human rights in politics and health, however, have been endangered. Vice President Castiglioni reassured him that the Paraguayan government will continue to support and speak for Taiwan in international events.