President Chen Receives Paraguay's Ruling Colorado Party Chairman Nicanor Duarte Frutos
Taipei, June 24 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian received Paraguay's ruling Colorado Party Chairman Nicanor Duarte Frutos and Legislator Alberto Castiglioni Sora at the Presidential Office Monday.
Noting that the two are soliciting party nominations to represent the party in presidential and vice presidential elections, Chen expressed the hope that both will win the party primaries.
He pointed out that the Republic of China and the South American nation established diplomatic relations in 1957 and added that the two countries share a common belief in democracy, freedom and human rights, while aspiring to regional security and stability.
The president lauded Duarte as an outstanding educator and an expert in high school education and vocational training, noting that he twice served as education minister.
He expressed the hope that Duarte's trip will help promote educational exchanges and cooperation between the ROC and Paraguay.
Chen also made special mention of the fact that Duarte has repeatedly turned down invitations to visit mainland China and that he and the other leaders of the Colorado party refused to see a visiting delegation from the mainland's National People's Congress.
Duarte said that he was honored to visit the ROC once again and pointed out that there is still room for the further development of ROC-Paraguay relations.
The two Paraguayan leaders earlier called on Foreign Affairs Minister Eugene Chien, who said that Paraguay, in the heart of South America, is a gateway to the continent, while Taiwan is a gateway to the Far East. He expressed the hope that both countries can strengthen their relations.
Duarte promised that the new generation of Paraguayan leaders will continue to boost relations with the ROC and expressed his appreciation for the ROC's assistance in Paraguay.
Chien said that Paraguay has a good football team and he invited it to Taiwan for an invitational international in November.
Duarte said that he will do everything he can to bring about the team's visit and he also invited Chien to visit Paraguay.