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President Han meets delegation led by Paraguayan Congress and Senate President Silvio Adalberto Ovelar Benítez, stating that friendship between Taiwan and Paraguay has stood the test of time and we look forward to deepening bilateral trade

At 12 p.m. on April 15, President Daniel K.Y. Han met with the parliamentary delegation led by Congress and Senate President Silvio Adalberto Ovelar Benítez of the Republic of Paraguay. Also in attendance were Vice President Johnny C. Chiang, Legislator Wang Shih-chien, Legislator Liao Wei-hsiang, Legislator Lin I-chin, and International Affairs Department Director Kevin C.F. From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were Vice Minister Remus Li-kuo Chen, Deputy Director General Chang Tzu-hsin of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs, Deputy Director General Fan Chia-ming of the Department of Protocol, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Paraguay to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Carlos José Fleitas Rodríguez. The parliamentary delegation from Paraguay was warmly welcomed at the entrance of the Legislative Yuan by President Han and his delegation. Congress and Senate President Silvio Adalberto Ovelar Benítez was then invited to the second-floor conference room of the Legislative Yuan's administrative building to sign the guestbook and have a bilateral talk.

 

President Han warmly welcomed President Ovelar and his delegation to the Legislative Yuan. He highlighted the unique geographical positions of Taiwan and Paraguay, noting that the two countries are situated at opposite ends of the Earth, with a straight line from Taiwan passing through the Earth's core leading directly to Paraguay's territory. President Han welcomed the friends from Paraguay with exceptional warmth and friendliness, citing the proverb "It’s such a pleasure to have friends from afar." He emphasized the bipartisan nature of the Legislative Yuan's sincerest welcome to the visiting delegation, aiming to convey Taiwan's sincere hospitality.

 

President Han continued by acknowledging the 67 years of formal diplomatic relations between the Republic of Paraguay and the Republic of China (Taiwan), highlighting the enduring friendship between the two nations. He mentioned comprehensive exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as academia, energy, livestock, technology, healthcare, and public safety. Notably, Taiwan is Paraguay's largest pork export market and the second-largest beef export market. Furthermore, the first batch of Paraguayan students trained through the Taiwan-Paraguay Polytechnic University received high praise from employers upon returning home. President Han mentioned that bilateral trade between Taiwan and Paraguay reached approximately USD 220 million last year, expressing his hope for further growth through enhanced cooperation between the Legislative Yuan and the Paraguayan Congress, aiming for sustainable development and prosperity.

 

President Ovelar expressed his gratitude to President Han, Vice President Chang, and representatives from various party caucuses for their warm reception. He stressed that the relationship between Taiwan and Paraguay goes beyond economic, technological, and educational exchanges, emphasizing the deep emotional interaction between the peoples of the two countries. Even in a realistic political environment where people often forget the importance of principles and values, Paraguay's diplomatic policy and political philosophy prioritize the friendship and mutual support of brotherly nations. President Ovelar reiterated that Paraguay's diplomatic position towards Taiwan is clear, and the country will continue to cherish the friendship between the two nations. Looking back on the past, regardless of changes in the ruling party of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Paraguay's recognition of Taiwan has never changed. President Ovelar viewed this as a matter of principle, stating that continued mutual assistance and deepened cooperation between Taiwan and Paraguay are the issues of utmost importance. President Ovelar emphasized that the friendship between Taiwan and Paraguay has remained unbroken for 67 years, and while Track One diplomacy promoted by the Foreign Ministries of both countries is essential, parliamentary diplomacy also holds significant importance. Therefore, he sincerely invited President Han and Vice President Chang to lead a delegation to visit Paraguay, engage in in-depth exchanges with Paraguayan parliamentarians, and allow Taiwanese legislators to experience the genuine warmth of the Paraguayan people for Taiwan. President Ovelar concluded by mentioning that the Paraguayan National Congress building stands as a symbol of the friendly cooperation between Taiwan and Paraguay, as it was originally constructed with funding from Taiwan, a gesture that the Paraguayan people will never forget.

 

President Han then invited President Ovelar and all attending dignitaries to take a commemorative photo and presented them with souvenirs before proceeding to a luncheon in the banquet hall. During bilateral exchanges, President Ovelar and members of the delegation engaged in extensive discussions with President Han, Vice President Chang, and attending legislators on various issues including political and economic development in Taiwan and Paraguay, bilateral trade, agricultural technology cooperation, higher education exchanges, indigenous cultural connections, the construction project of the Congressional Democracy Library of Paraguay, Paraguayan football events, and the establishment of bilateral parliamentary friendship groups. Second Vice President of the Senate Hermelinda Alvarenga de Ortega and Senator Pedro Alejandro Díaz Verón particularly praised Taiwan's educational nurturing program for Paraguayan youth studying in Taiwan, expressing their deep gratitude. The meeting and luncheon lasted approximately two hours, with a friendly and joyful atmosphere filled with laughter, concluding warmly and pleasantly.