Taipei, Jan. 8 (CNA) Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian Monday received a Paraguayan parliamentary mission led by Speaker of the House of Representatives Candido C. Vera at the Presidential Office.
Other members of the mission included Paraguayan Economic Planning and Development Minister Louis Alberto Meyer Jou.
During the meeting, President Chen expressed gratitude to Paraguay for its long-standing support of the Republic of China, particularly on the ROC's bids for membership in the United Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). "We are moved by your firm support and just voice," President Chen noted.
President Chen also expressed his hope that he would visit Paraguay again in the near future. In return, Vera conveyed Paraguayan President Luis Angel Gonzalez Macci's regards and an invitation for Chen to visit Paraguay soon.
Chen noted that relations between the ROC and Paraguay have been very firm since the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1957. High ranking officials between the two countries have repeatedly exchanged visits, and Paraguayan President Gonzalez and Foreign Minister Juan Esteban Aguirre have both visited the Republic of China since the new government took office seven months ago.
President Chen expressed the hope that visiting members of the Paraguayan Parliamentary Mission will also visit economic establishments in the Republic of China, adding that the ROC is willing to share its experience of land reform and agricultural development with Paraguay.
The ROC will also render its assistance and further strengthen economic and trade ties as well as technical cooperation with Paraguay, Chen said.
He noted that he visited Asuncion several years ago, in his capacity as mayor of Taipei. He expressed the hope that he will have a chance to visit Paraguay again in the near future.
Vera and Meyer called on the president Monday afternoon, accompanied by Vice Foreign Minister Chiou Jong-nan and Paraguayan Ambassador to Taipei Ceferino Adnan Valdez Peralta. Deputy Secretary General to the Presidential Office Eugene Chien was also present at the meeting.