Vice President Lu Meets with Guatemalan President Alfonso Antonio Portillo
Taipei, April 8 (CNA) Vice President Annette Lu said Monday that visiting Guatemalan President Alfonso Antonio Portillo has promised to speak for Taiwan's bid to obtain membership of the World Health Organization (WHO) at a Geneva conference later this year.
Lu made the remarks when she and the visiting president attended a "Guatemalan Coffee Week" in Taipei's newest shopping mall--Core Pacific City--in eastern Taipei.
Lu expressed her appreciation for the Central American nation for speaking out for Taiwan's United Nations bids over the years and for being a true friend of the country.
The vice president also said she has asked Portillo to help bring about President Chen Shui-bian's participation in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which is scheduled to take place this October in Mexico, a neighbor of Guatemala.
Lu said that Guatemala has a historic culture and a passionate people, while coffee from Latin America is famous for its high quality. She added that the "coffee week" will help promote friendship between Taiwan and Guatemala.
Portillo strongly recommended his country's aromatic coffee and expressed hope that more Taiwan people will come to appreciate it.
The president also said that Taiwan and Guatemala have enjoyed close relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1960. He also said Taiwan people can visit his country for a Mayan civilization exhibition between May and July to enhance the friendship between the two countries.
The president, accompanied by a 20-member entourage, arrived in Taiwan Friday for a five-day state visit, his first trip to Taiwan.