President Ma Ying-jeou met with Republic of Guatemala Vice President Rafael Espada at the Presidential Office on the afternoon of October 7 and extended a cordial welcome to Vice President Espada on his visit to Taiwan.
The president remarked that the ROC and Guatemala have maintained a stable alliance and close interaction since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 1935. Last year, the president said, Vice President Espada, on behalf of President Álvaro Colom Caballeros, came to Taiwan to attend his inauguration proceedings. Meanwhile, in August of last year he met with Vice President Espada when they were both in Paraguay to attend the inauguration of President Fernando Lugo. He and Vice President Espada even flew in the same plane when travelling to the Dominican Republic to attend the inauguration of that nation's President Leonel Fernández. President Ma commented that President Colom visited Taiwan last year around this time to attend festivities marking the ROC's National Day. In June of this year during a visit to Guatemala, President Ma again met with President Colom and Vice President Espada. President Ma said that in the less than year-and-a-half period since taking office, he has now met with Vice President Espada four times, which points to the deep bonds and close friendship between the two nations.
President Ma stated that many of the cooperation projects being promoted by the ROC and Guatemala are progressing smoothly. He particularly mentioned that when he made another visit to Guatemala this year, he had an opportunity to travel to Tikal National Park in Peten Province in the northern part of the country to see cultural relics of the Mayan civilization. The president said this experience highlighted Guatemala's long history and beautiful culture. He said he hopes that the two countries will enhance their cooperation and interaction on the cultural and tourism fronts in the future.
Vice President Espada extended best wishes to President Ma on behalf of President Colom. He also made special mention of Guatemala's concern and sympathies for the damage and loss of life on Taiwan caused by Typhoon Morakot. He said that mutual visits by officials of the two countries not only are beneficial with regards to maintaining the bilateral relationship, but also further bolster friendship between the two. Vice President Espada said he hopes that in the future the two countries will continue to join hands in cooperation, together creating better prospects for the future.
President Ma remarked that Vice President Espada, in addition to being a highly respected politician, is also a renowned cardiologist who spent over 30 years practicing in the United States. He has established a cardiac clinic in Guatemala and has helped save a countless number of people. President Ma added that we are deeply touched that Vice President Espada has expressed his heartfelt concern on behalf of Guatemala for the disaster caused by Typhoon Morakot. The president said he is confident that the friendship between the two nations will continue to move forward.