President Tsai meets delegation led by Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Erica Jovel Polanco
On the afternoon of March 26, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a visiting delegation led by Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Erica Jovel Polanco. During the meeting, the president expressed hope that Taiwan and Guatemala will continue to enhance cooperation in the tourism industry, and promote economic and trade exchanges.
In remarks, President Tsai noted that Minister Jovel, who has extensive experience in political affairs, was only 39 years old when she became foreign minister last August, and can thus be seen as a model for women's political participation in Guatemala. The minister was in Taiwan several years ago to attend a training course for diplomats from Latin America and the Caribbean, so revisiting familiar places on this trip will certainly help her recall the friendliness and beauty of Taiwan.
Noting that Taiwan and Guatemala have maintained diplomatic relations for 85 years, President Tsai pointed out that the two countries cooperate closely in the fields of public health, agricultural technology, and infrastructure.
During a visit to Guatemala in January 2017, the president had expressed hope that Taiwan and Guatemala would continue to enhance cooperation in the tourism industry, upgrade parliamentary exchanges, and promote economic and trade exchanges. Accompanied by Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, President Tsai visited the world-famous city of Antigua, where she was impressed by Guatemala's rich and diverse culture.
Pointing out that Guatemala is now celebrating Holy Week, with annual Holy Week processions in Antigua that attract hundreds of thousands of visitors, President Tsai said she hopes more Taiwanese tourists will visit Guatemala and get to know our diplomatic partner better.
President Tsai went on to say that the Taiwan government and Guatemalan Ambassador to the ROC Olga Maria Aguja Zuniga are actively promoting bilateral exchanges. Last year, for example, Taiwan sent delegations to Central America to scout out tourist industry business opportunities and attend various handicrafts exhibits. Guatemala also participated in international travel fairs, food fairs, an agriculture week, and other activities here. She added that more and more coffee shops in Taiwan are now using Guatemalan coffee beans.
President Tsai stated that "Guatemala is embracing Taiwan," and expressed hope that the two countries can continue to expand exchanges in more fields and enhance bilateral diplomatic relations. The deep bilateral friendship was built up step by step, and for many years Minister Jovel has been an important supporter. So during this trip, said the president, we have conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon on Minister Jovel to recognize and express thanks for her contributions, and we hope she will continue to support Taiwan.
After once again welcoming Minister Jovel to Taiwan, President Tsai expressed hope that President Morales will visit Taiwan, and asked the minister to convey our sincere invitation so that Taiwan will have an opportunity to express our friendship by hosting him.