President Tsai meets Dominican Republic Ambassador to the ROC Rafaela Alburquerque de Gonzalez
During a meeting on the morning of April 12 with Dominican Republic Ambassador to the ROC Rafaela Alburquerque de Gonzalez, President Tsai Ing-wen expressed hope that the two countries can continue promoting cooperation and exchange projects in line with the spirit of mutual assistance for mutual benefits.
President Tsai opened her remarks by noting that Ambassador Alburquerque, who has served as ambassador to the ROC for about six years, will soon leave her post and return to the Dominican Republic. The president thanked the ambassador for her contributions to bilateral relations over the past several years, and on behalf of Taiwan extended best wishes for her future success.
President Tsai pointed out that Ambassador Alburquerque is deeply experienced, having served in the past as a judge, general consul in Belgium, a member of the Dominican Republic Chamber of Deputies, a cabinet minister, and the first female president of the Dominican Republic Chamber of Deputies. Such an outstanding career inspires deep respect, said President Tsai.
President Tsai further noted that since assuming her post in Taiwan in 2011, Ambassador Alburquerque has worked unflaggingly to promote bilateral exchanges, and during her tenure Taiwan has received many high-level visitors from the Dominican Republic, including First Lady Candida Montilla de Medina, Senate President Cristina Lizardo Mezquita, Chamber of Deputies President Abel Atahualpa Martinez Duran, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Andres Navarro Garcia. Such visits have yielded deeper interactions and mutual understanding, and have also established closer bilateral ties.
Ambassador Alburquerque was elected once again last year to the Chamber of Deputies, so the president expressed hope that after she returns to the Dominican Republic she will continue helping to enhance relations between the two countries, and will promote resolutions in support of Taiwan's participation in international organizations.
President Tsai had high praise for Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina, under whose leadership the country has achieved steady economic growth and the people's standard of living has greatly improved. The president asked the ambassador to convey her regards and an invitation to President Medina, saying that President and Mrs. Medina are sincerely welcome to come to Taiwan on a state visit so that the two sides together can enhance bilateral diplomatic alliance.
President Tsai concluded her remarks by once again thanking the ambassador and extending best wishes for her future success.
Also included in the delegation were the ambassador's husband, as well as Minister Counselor Samuel Castro of the Embassy of the Dominican Republic.