President Ma Ying-jeou met on the afternoon of October 29 with Burkina Faso Ambassador to the ROC Jacques Y. Sawadogo and Mrs. Sawadogo. The president, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC, expressed his best wishes to Ambassador Sawadogo as he completes his posting in the ROC. President Ma also bestowed the Order of Propitious Clouds with Grand Cordon on Ambassador Sawadogo in recognition of the ambassador's longstanding efforts and outstanding contributions to relations between the ROC and Burkina Faso.
In remarks, the president stated that prior to serving as ambassador to the ROC, Ambassador Sawadogo served as his nation's Minister of National Planning and Cooperation, and has an extremely prestigious reputation. President Ma noted that the ambassador was dispatched to the ROC in 1994 when the ROC and Burkina Faso re-established diplomatic ties, and he has now been here for 19 years. The president said that Ambassador Sawadogo has spared no effort in working to enhance the alliance and promote bilateral cooperation projects in a variety of areas, including agricultural technology, medicine, education, information & communications, and vocational training. At the same time, Ambassador Sawadogo has actively supported participation for the ROC in international organizations and activities, he remarked.
President Ma stated that Ambassador Sawadogo understands the ROC extremely well, and urged the ambassador to continue promoting the alliance after he returns to Burkina Faso. The president also asked Ambassador Sawadogo to forward his best regards to Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore and Prime Minister Luc Adolphe Tiao, and extended an invitation for President Compaore to lead a delegation to Taiwan next year to mark the 20th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
After conclusion of the discussions, the ceremony to bestow the honor on Ambassador Sawadogo was carried out. Among those witnessing the ceremony were Mrs. Sawadogo and the couple's son, Secretary-General to the President Timothy Chin-Tien Yang (楊進添), National Security Council Advisor Francis Yi-Hua Kan (甘逸驊), Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Shen-Yeaw Ko (柯森耀), and Director-General of the Third Bureau of the Office of the President Fen-Fen Chang (張芬芬).
In remarks delivered after receiving the honor, Ambassador Sawadogo expressed appreciation on behalf of the government and people of Burkina Faso. He also said he was extremely moved to receive this honor from President Ma, adding that it belongs not just to him, but also stands as testimony to the high level of friendship and strong cooperative relationship between the two countries. In addition, Ambassador Sawadogo thanked the ROC's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for helping him carry out his diplomatic work smoothly. Ambassador Sawadogo also thanked the ROC government for providing his son a scholarship, thereby enabling him to study at one of Taiwan's top universities.
Ambassador Sawadogo further stated that the ROC government has long provided development assistance to Burkina Faso, including many bilateral cooperation projects that have improved the wellbeing and living environment for the people of his nation, he said. He also noted that President Ma in April of last year visited Burkina Faso and during that time personally saw the results of many of the bilateral cooperation projects. Ambassador Sawadogo expressed hope that Burkina Faso will continue to move forward with the support of the ROC government.
Ambassador Sawadogo then mentioned that President Ma instituted a "viable diplomacy" policy after taking office in 2008. In addition, the president introduced his East China Sea Peace Initiative and the government signed a fisheries agreement with Japan. All of these steps have successfully promoted regional and international peace, said Ambassador Sawadogo. Meanwhile, he stated, the ROC has continuously placed emphasis on the core values of human rights and freedom, successfully transformed itself into a democratic society, and achieved tremendous economic development. For all these things, it has been recognized and praised the world over.
Lastly, Ambassador Sawadogo emphasized that it is very difficult for him to leave Taiwan, which has become a second home for him and his family. He said he will miss the warmth and hospitality of the people of Taiwan, and will always carry with him fond memories of his time here.
After completing his remarks, President Ma and Ambassador Sawadogo joined in a reception, where they interacted with members of the diplomatic corps stationed in Taiwan.