Burkina Faso Prime Minister Beyon Luc Adolphe Tiao and Mrs. Tiao, along with Belize Governor-General Sir Colville Young, led delegations to the Presidential Office on the evening of May 19 to hold discussions with President Ma Ying-jeou. The delegations from these two ROC diplomatic allies were in Taiwan to take part in the inauguration ceremonies for the 13th-term president and vice president of the ROC. Also attending the meetings were Vice President-elect Wu Den-yih, National Security Council Secretary-General Hu Wei-jen (胡為真), Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tung Kuoyu (董國猷), and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Shen-Yeaw Ko (柯森耀).
During his meeting with Prime Minister Tiao, the president remarked that the prime minister is a learned man with much political experience, and prior to his current position, he served as secretary-general of the Ministry of Communication, the president of the Higher Council for Information, and Burkina Faso's ambassador to France. Prime Minister Tiao has a high standing in Burkina Faso's political community, the president said, noting that since taking office in April of last year he has helped President Blaise Compaore to restore social order. President Ma said the prime minister has made considerable contributions to the well-being of the people of Burkina Faso and has become one of the most important members of President Compaore's staff.
President Ma mentioned that last month while he was on a visit to Burkina Faso, he was accompanied by Prime Minister Tiao to see bilateral cooperation projects involving such things as vocational training, medical care, and the "Light from Taiwan" project. The president said that the warmth, hospitality, and friendliness of the people of Burkina Faso left a deep impression on him. In particular, while on the road to a village to understand the success thus far achieved in the "Light from Taiwan" project, Prime Minister Tiao recalled that he studied outside under streetlamps during his three years in high school. President Ma said that he deeply admires how the prime minister has worked so hard for success. The president also commented that the ROC will continue to share its development experience with Burkina Faso and work to further strengthen the cooperative relationship between the two countries.
After the conclusion of that meeting, President Ma met with Belize Governor-General Sir Colville Young, whom he praised as a distinguished politician, musician, and educator who has long been involved in educational work, and founded a steel band in Belize. He has composed many folk songs and is very accomplished in music and literature, the president stated. The governor-general is deeply respected by all circles in Belize, and the president said he hopes that he will better understand Taiwan's developmental status during his stay here.
President Ma mentioned that three years ago he visited Belize on a state visit and that the beauty of the nation and the warmth of its people made a deep impression on him. In addition, the president pointed out that the ROC's agricultural mission stationed in Belize has helped that nation grow outstanding rice. He expressed his hope that the excellent water and soil in Belize will help the nation develop into a major rice production center in Central America.
President Ma also acknowledged that Belize has spoken on behalf of the ROC in many international venues, supporting participation for Taiwan in international organizations and activities including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the International Civil Aviation Organization. The president expressed his deepest appreciation for this, and lastly wished the delegation from Belize a pleasant stay here.
The delegation from Burkina Faso included Prime Minister and Mrs. Tiao, Burkina Faso Ambassador to the ROC Jacques Sawadogo and Mrs. Sawadogo, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Jean Bertin Ouedraogo, and Minister of National Education and Literacy Koumba Boly. Accompanying Belize Governor-General Young was Belize Charge D'Affaires to the ROC Cherie Minette Nisbet.