President Tsai Ing-wen said Oct. 21 Taiwan would expand exchanges with Guatemala as part of government efforts to deepen friendship between the two countries.
 
Taiwan and Guatemala have enjoyed over 80 years of diplomatic relations, Tsai said. More cooperation will yield handsome dividends and allow both nations to create a better future together.
 
Tsai made the remarks while meeting with Guatemala president-elect Alejandro Eduardo Giammattei at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. The Latin American leader is country at the head of a high-level delegation including members of his cabinet.
 
During the Oct. 20-24 trip, Giammattei will meet with Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, as well as visit key central government agencies such as the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Health and Welfare, Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture and International Cooperation Development Fund (TaiwanICDF).
 
According to Tsai, Giammattei’s connections with Taiwan span generations. When his father served president of the Guatemalan Olympic Committee, he courageously defended Taiwan’s right to remain part of the International Olympic Committee, she said.
 
In response, Giammattei said Guatemala will continue supporting Taiwan and government efforts to play a bigger role in the international arena. He also took the opportunity to invite Tsai to attend his inauguration next January and vowed to take two-way ties to new heights. (Ray-E)
 
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