Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Wu, is currently on a diplomatic visit to St. Vincent and the Grenadines to participate in the 45th anniversary celebration of St. Vincent’s independence as a special envoy of the President. Minister Wu will also make subsequent visits to Guatemala, Saint Lucia, Belize, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Minister Wu expressed on Facebook, “This year marks the 45th anniversary of independence for our Caribbean ally, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as the 43rd anniversary of Taiwan’s diplomatic relations with St. Vincent. Over the years, the friendship between our two countries has been solid, sharing universal values such as democracy, freedom, and human rights. Apart from attending the independence celebration of St. Vincent, I will also meet with Governor-General Susan D. Dougan and Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves to discuss mutual concerns and future cooperation.”
He added that during his visit to Guatemala, Saint Lucia, Belize, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, he will hold bilateral meetings with leaders and government officials, inspecting the results of cooperation projects Taiwan has been promoting in those countries. Additionally, Mrs. Wu will accompany him to Guatemala at the invitation of Guatemala’s First Lady Lucrecia Peinado.
Minister Wu emphasized the longstanding strong friendship between Taiwan and its Latin American and Caribbean allies, indicating close cooperation in various fields such as public health, agriculture, education, information technology, and women’s empowerment. He aims to deepen collaboration and enhance the well-being of both nations’ citizens through Taiwan’s comprehensive diplomatic efforts and the “Bravo Project”.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan stated that in honor of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ 45th anniversary of independence, President Lai Ching-te specially appointed Minister Joseph Wu to lead a delegation to congratulate the two nations. Minister Wu will take part in celebratory activities during his time in St. Vincent, including meetings with Governor-General Susan D. Dougan and Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves to discuss shared concerns and future directions for cooperation.
To further strengthen Taiwan’s friendship with its Latin American and Caribbean allies, Minister Wu will make visits to Guatemala, Saint Lucia, Belize, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, where he will engage in bilateral meetings with leaders and government officials, assessing the outcomes of Taiwan’s cooperative projects in these regions.
Minister Wu and his delegation commenced their journey on the 23rd and are scheduled to return to Taipei on November 2nd. Mrs. Wu also accepted an invitation from Guatemala’s First Lady to accompany Minister Wu on his visit to Guatemala during her recent visit to Taiwan for the National Day celebrations.
Minister Wu shared on Facebook the significance of his third visit to Guatemala, strengthening Taiwan’s ties with critical ally countries in Central and South America. The encounter with President Bernardo Arévalo and Foreign Minister Carlos Martínez is an opportunity to express gratitude for Guatemala’s longstanding support for Taiwan’s international participation.
Furthermore, Minister Wu highlighted the importance of Mrs. Wu’s involvement in diplomatic engagements such as visiting kite workshops, the Antigua Museum, and enjoying cultural performances during their trip to Guatemala, facilitating soft diplomacy through interactions between spouses.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Minister Wu will use this visit to elaborate on Taiwan’s “Bravo Project,” aiming to transform the cooperation between Taiwan and its allies from merely “maintaining friendship” to achieving mutual prosperity, thereby assisting the development of allied nations and enhancing the well-being of their populations.
The enduring friendship between Taiwan and its Latin American and Caribbean allies has been marked by cooperation in vital areas like public health, agriculture, education, information technology, and women’s empowerment. The fruitful results of collaborative projects have received widespread acclaim, reflecting the positive impact of Taiwan’s diplomatic efforts in the region.