Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

President Ma Ying-jeou on the afternoon of October 8 at the Presidential Office Building conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon on Republic of Paraguay Vice President Juan Eudes Afara Maciel in recognition of his outstanding contributions in enhancing the alliance between the two countries.

Vice President Afara stated that he is deeply honored to have been bestowed this decoration personally by President Ma, which recognizes his work in promoting a wide range of cooperative relations between the ROC and Paraguay and that symbolizes even deeper bilateral relations.

Vice President Afara remarked that Paraguay is currently promoting a family farming and food security project in an effort to strengthen Paraguay's output of agricultural products. This initiative will increase the incomes of farmers, achieve the goal of equal distribution of wealth, and solidify the foundation for national development. Vice President Afara hopes that the ROC will continue to share its knowledge and technology in the area of agriculture with Paraguay, thereby enabling the project to be carried out successfully. In addition, the two countries are cooperating in the promotion of an affordable housing project, which is responding to the needs of the underprivileged in Paraguay by providing reasonably priced homes and reducing the problem of finding housing for these families. This is also beneficial to raising the wellbeing of the people of Paraguay, he said.

Vice President Afara stressed that Paraguay will continue to honor its commitments under its alliance with the ROC, support the ROC's participation in international organizations, and speak on behalf of the ROC in the international community. He said he supports the East China Sea Peace Initiative introduced by President Ma in 2012 and also recognizes the many contributions of the initiative in reducing conflict in the region, as well as promoting peace and prosperity. Vice President Afara also expressed a warm welcome and gratitude to Taiwanese companies that have made sizeable investments in Paraguay in recent years. He called for the vibrancy of bilateral trade ties.

Vice President Afara then remarked that President Ma previously attended the inauguration ceremonies for Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes and witnessed a moment when democracy deepened its hold in that nation. He also expressed his best wishes for smooth presidential and legislative elections that are slated to be held here early next year, which will show the ROC as a model of democracy. The vice president also called for even deeper bilateral relations in the future that will be mutually beneficial and promote co-prosperity.

Also witnessing the ceremony were Vice President Afara's wife Luz Marilda Arguello de Afara, Republic of Paraguay Ambassador to the ROC Marcial Bobadilla Guillen, Secretary-General to the President Tseng Yung-chuan (曾永權), and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Shen-Yeaw Ko (柯森耀).