On the afternoon of May 21, Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang, accompanied by Legislator Chen Gau-tzu, International Affairs Department Director Kevin C.F. Lin, and Deputy Director-General Zhang Zi-xin of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, received a delegation led by Raúl Luis Latorre Martínez, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Republic of Paraguay.
Vice President Chiang first extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation and expressed gratitude to Speaker Raúl Luis Latorre Martínez for accompanying the President of Paraguay to attend the inauguration ceremony of Taiwan’s 16th President and Vice President. He remarked that the parliaments of democratic countries are the most dynamic and passionate places, where diverse opinions of the people converge. He continued by noting that, due to President Daniel K.Y. Han presiding over a session and handling important legislation today, he was representing President Han in welcoming the visiting delegation. Paraguay is Taiwan's most significant diplomatic ally in Central and South America. The bilateral friendship has been solidified and continues to deepen. Last month, he had the honor of accompanying President Han in hosting a delegation led by Senate President Silvio Adalberto Ovelar Benítez of the Republic of Paraguay. Within a span of just two months, both the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate President from Paraguay have visited Taiwan, demonstrating the importance they place on Taiwan-Paraguay relations. He hopes for more exchanges between the two countries' legislatures in the future.
Speaker Raúl Luis Latorre Martínez expressed his honor at visiting Taiwan and meeting with the Legislative Yuan. He conveyed the sincere greetings of the people of Paraguay and highlighted the long-standing cooperative relationship between Taiwan and Paraguay. Despite being located at opposite ends of the globe, the two countries share a sincere and close friendship. Paraguay is committed to further deepening this relationship and expanding bilateral cooperation. Paraguay’s primary economic activity is agriculture, and Taiwan is a key market for Paraguayan agricultural products. He hopes to explore more business opportunities and collaboration in this sector in the future. Additionally, Paraguay ranks second in South America for clean energy, and he anticipates the potential of exporting clean energy to Taiwan in the future. Speaker Latorre shared that Paraguay is developing environmentally friendly electric vehicles and aims to become a development hub for the electric vehicle industry in Latin America. During this visit, he will also meet with electric vehicle industry representatives in Taiwan, with the hope of fostering collaboration and creating mutually beneficial opportunities in the future. Speaker Latorre continued by expressing hope that the Legislative Yuan would support providing zero-tariff benefits for Paraguayan pork products in the Agreement on Economic Cooperation Between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Republic of Paraguay (ECA), as well as further reducing tariffs on other Paraguayan products such as honey. The Paraguayan executive branch has already approved the new agreement, which is now awaiting approval from the Paraguayan Congress. He also hopes that Taiwan will offer support to assist in Paraguay’s economic development.
Legislator Chen Gau-tzu warmly welcomed Speaker Latorre’s visit to Taiwan. She noted that Taiwan has a unique strategic position and a democratic and free country. Taiwan’s vibrant and diverse nature of its parliament is shaped by long-term democratic struggles. Taiwan needs to engage more with the world so that the enthusiasm and efforts of its people can be recognized internationally. She hopes that Taiwan can forge more international friendships and that the Taiwan-Paraguay friendship will be enduring.
Vice President Chiang responded by stating that the matters raised by Speaker Latorre regarding the deepening of bilateral economic and trade cooperation will be carefully evaluated and discussed by competent Taiwanese authorities, given the long-standing friendship between Taiwan and Paraguay. The Legislative Yuan will also make every effort to support these initiatives, aiming to further deepen and broaden the substantive friendly relations between Taiwan and Paraguay.
Speaker Latorre expressed his gratitude to Vice President Chiang for his willingness to support the initiatives and conveyed that, although this was his first visit to Taiwan, he deeply appreciated the sincere and heartfelt friendship of the Taiwanese people. He felt as though he had known Taiwan for a long time, likening it to his closest friend. He also agreed that the parliament is the temple of democracy, reflecting diverse public opinions and the voices of the people.
Vice President Chiang concluded by noting that although he has not yet visited Paraguay, he has hosted several Paraguayan friends and delegations in recent years and has fully sensed the warmth of the Paraguayan people and their anticipation for bilateral relations. He expressed his intention to seek an opportunity to visit Paraguay in the future. Speaker Latorre extended a wholehearted invitation for Vice President Chiang and members of the Legislative Yuan to visit Paraguay, assuring that the delegation would experience the renowned hospitality of the Paraguayan people.
The meeting lasted approximately half an hour and was marked by a friendly and pleasant atmosphere. After taking a group photo and exchanging commemorative gifts, the meeting concluded on a positive note.
