Taipei, March 10 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian met Monday with Guatemalan Vice President Juan Francisco Reyes Lopez, who had just arrived in Taipei for a four-day official visit.
Chen expressed his thanks to the Guatemalan government for its support for Taiwan's bid to join international organizations.
He said that at an international meeting organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization last year, Reyes urged the meeting to admit Taiwan, either as a member or as an observer.
Chen noted that Reyes will sign a joint statement with ROC Vice President Annette Lu on first-stage consultations on the signing of a free trade agreement.
Chen recounted his pleasant trip to Guatemala last May, saying that he was deeply impressed by a tour of an ancient city, accompanied by Reyes.
He welcomed Reyes to Taiwan, saying that the trip is certain to further cement the already-close friendship between the two countries.
Guatemala and Taiwan agreed Monday to start talks on a bilateral free trade agreement before the fourth quarter of this year and to conclude them by December next year, according to a joint statement signed by visiting Guatemala Vice President Juan Francisco Reyes Lopez and his Republic of China counterpart Annette Lu.
According to the statement, Taipei's access to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2002 made the time right for a free trade pact that will lower the tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, as well as boost bilateral trade and investment.
The statement said a free trade pact would make Guatemala the ROC's gateway to the American market and the ROC Guatemala's gateway to the Asian market.
The agreement will cover the sales of goods and services, as well as investment, and should conform with the Constitutions of both countries, WTO rules and be complementary to a multilateral trade system.
The first round of talks should start no later than the fourth quarter of 2003, with a view to reaching a conclusion by December, 2004, said the statement.