President Tsai meets delegation led by President Reinaldo Pared Pérez of Dominican Republic Senate
President Tsai Ing-wen met on the morning of June 13 with a delegation led by Mr. Reinaldo Pared Pérez, President of the Dominican Republic Senate, and his wife, in which she thanked the Dominican Senate for the many times it has supported Taiwan's participation in international organizations. President Tsai also expressed hope that the two countries would continue to enhance their friendship and strongly support each other in the international arena.
President Tsai delivered remarks noting that in August 2016, Vice President Chen Chien-jen visited the Dominican Republic to attend the inauguration of President Danilo Medina. She said she was happy to welcome Mr. Pared Pérez in the Presidential Office. The president then expressed sympathy on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan for the disaster damages caused by recent heavy rains in the Dominican Republic.
President Tsai noted the strong economic growth enjoyed by the Dominican Republic in recent years and the widely recognized successes of President Medina's government. She praised especially important judicial and social welfare legislations promoted by Mr. Pared Pérez in the Senate, including the 911 National Emergency Response and Security System in Santo Domingo. Taiwan participated in planning the system, which is making great contributions to development of the Dominican Republic by effectively combating crime and resolving public security issues. Last year during his visit, Vice President Chen personally visited a "911 Emergency Response Center" to understand the system's operation and development.
The president also expressed hope for even greater cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and the Dominican Republic in the future. Taiwan is currently facilitating investment in the Dominican Republic by outstanding Taiwan industries like the textile industry, and hopes that the development of market and industry can become part of the bilateral cooperation, thus helping to achieve sustainable development and a win-win situation for both countries.
President Tsai also took the opportunity to thank the Dominican Senate for its frequent support for Taiwan's participation in important international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). She expressed hope that Mr. Pared Pérez would continue to exert influence to encourage the government and national congress of the Dominican Republic to provide strong support for Taiwan's international participation.
President Tsai noted that the visit of this delegation led by Mr. Pared Pérez, in addition to enhancing exchanges between the two nations, also illustrates the friendly bilateral relations. The president specially awarded Mr. Pared Pérez with the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon, one of the highest honor of the ROC, to thank him for his outstanding contributions to furthering relations, and as a sign of the firm and friendly relations between the two countries.
Lastly, President Tsai requested that Mr. Pared Pérez convey her sincere greetings to President Medina, and extended an invitation to President and Mrs. Medina to visit Taiwan and further enhance mutual understanding and exchanges. She also expressed hope that Taiwan and the Dominican Republic would continue to deepen their bilateral friendship and support each other in the international arena.