Taipei, March 24 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Monday that the Republic of China and Paraguay have had long-standing relations for nearly half a century.
The president made the remarks when he received Oscar Gonzalez Daher, the speaker of the Paraguayan House of the Deputies, at the Presidential Office.
Chen said that Paraguay's development should be export-oriented, including food processing, computer assembly, automobile parts and textiles. "The ROC can compliment Paraguay and provide the best assistance based on its successful experience over the past four decades," Chen added.
Chen extended his sincere welcome to Gonzalez on his third visit to the ROC, which he said showed the solid relations between the two countries, adding that he was happy to see especially close bilateral exchanges over the past three years.
President Chen visited Asuncion in May 2001, while Vice President Annette Lu and Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng have also visited Paraguay.
The president said that though the two countries are geographically distant, they share the belief in freedom, democracy, peace and human rights, and both have moved from totalitarian to democratic systems. "Since 1957, the two countries have been the most loyal allies to each other," the president said.
He expressed appreciation for the support by the government and the people of Paraguay for the ROC's bid to enter such international organizations as the United Nations.
The president was especially gratified to see the close cooperation between the two countries.