A delegation led by President Ma Ying-jeou arrived at 7:40 p.m. on January 25 local time (3:40 a.m. on January 26 Taipei time) in Burkina Faso, a diplomatic partner of the ROC in West Africa.
ROC Ambassador to Burkina Faso Shen Cheng-hong (沈真宏) and Burkina Faso Director of State Protocol Leon Yougbare boarded the aircraft to welcome President Ma. Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore was standing next to the plane to welcome his counterpart with military honors. Although the president's arrival was in the evening, many overseas compatriots as well as ROC embassy staffers and their family members were on hand to welcome him. He received flowers and shook hands with representatives of the overseas compatriot community there.
President Ma then headed to Burkina Faso's Presidential Office, where he and President Compaore engaged in discussions. The two leaders then held a joint press conference upon the conclusion of their talks to explain progress in bilateral ties.
In responding to questions from the media, President Ma stated that the two countries maintain close and fruitful cooperation in various areas, including vocational training, renewable energy, and health care. On the topic of cross-strait relations, he stated that since taking office over five years ago he has actively worked to create a friendlier environment for the ROC in the international community, and to forge peace between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Significantly improved cross-strait ties have reduced tensions in the Taiwan Strait and helped the ROC perform more actively in the international community, he said. As a result, the ROC's relations with the United States, Japan, members of the European Union, and other nations have improved markedly, and opportunities to participate in the international community and international organizations have increased substantially, indicating that the ROC government's pursuit of cross-strait peace and viable diplomacy have benefited Taiwan on many fronts.
President Compaore noted with pleasure that President Ma's two visits to Burkina Faso over the past two years have done much to promote friendly ties, and he lauded the ROC for its successful diplomacy and international participation, both of which have impressed the world community.
After the conclusion of the talks between the two, President Ma headed to President Compaore's residence for a state banquet. In remarks, he recalled that when he visited Burkina Faso in April of 2012 he received an enthusiastic reception from President Compaore and the government and people of Burkina Faso. He said that while this trip to Burkina Faso had been brief, he had already experienced the warmth and hospitality of the people there.
President Ma stated that cooperation projects being carried out by the two countries have been implemented with considerable success. He noted that when the US embassy in Burkina Faso carried out a survey to determine the level of satisfaction among the people of Burkina Faso in the assistance provided by other nations, the ROC ranked first, with 91.45% of respondents expressing satisfaction. This shows that the methods utilized by the ROC to enhance efficiency and improve the lives of people have won support and recognition, which is particularly pleasing.
President Ma also noted that the ROC and Burkina Faso have many similarities, such as a lack of natural resources but an abundance of hard-working and sincere people. He said he is deeply confident in the developmental prospects for Burkina Faso, adding that the ROC is also very willing to share its development experience of the past 60 years. He expressed confidence that under the outstanding leadership of President Compaore, Burkina Faso will achieve its development objectives and become a model for development in West Africa.
President Ma also praised President Compaore for his longstanding efforts to mediate conflicts and crises in West Africa. He was instrumental in the signing of a peace agreement between the provisional government in Mali and Islamic military groups in the northern part of that country, which enabled Mali to successfully hold an election for a new president in July of last year, President Ma said. President Ma also stated that the ROC and Japan last year signed a fisheries agreement that resolved a 40-year fishing dispute. He cited these breakthroughs as examples of the ROC and Burkina Faso making efforts to promote regional peace.
Lastly, President Ma spoke in French to thank everyone for attending the banquet, and to make a toast to the success and health of President Compaore, prosperity for the ROC and Burkina Faso, and a lasting alliance between the two.