President Ma Ying-jeou met with Paraguay Minister of Industry & Commerce Francisco José Rivas Almada at the Presidential Office on the afternoon of October 27. The president, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), expressed a cordial welcome to Mr. Rivas on his visit to Taiwan.
The president remarked that Paraguay is an important friend of the ROC in South America and our only diplomatic ally in the region. Last year, the president visited Paraguay to attend the inauguration of President Fernando Lugo. He said he has met with President Lugo a number of times and President Lugo's dedication to working for the people and promoting national development has made a deep impression on him.
President Ma added that last year's presidential election in Paraguay marked an important milestone and the beginning of a new era for the nation. The ROC and Paraguay established diplomatic relations in 1957 and the two share a deep friendship and alliance. He said the ROC is interested in continuing to engage in various cooperative projects with Paraguay. The president stated that last year he expressed to President Lugo that the alliance between the two nations will not change, and in fact some cooperative projects could be expanded should both sides consent.
President Ma commented that Paraguay is a large country with an abundance of commodities and natural resources. The ROC is willing to further engage in cooperative projects with Paraguay in order to enhance bilateral relations, he said.
Minister Rivas expressed his appreciation to President Ma for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with him. He also remarked that this visit shows that relations between the two countries are stable. He also presented a personal letter written by President Lugo to President Ma and expressed President Lugo's best wishes.
Minister Rivas said that last year Paraguay embarked on a new era. He said he hopes that the various cooperative projects between the two countries will benefit his nation's people and help to further raise living standards in Paraguay.