Paraguayan Speaker of the House, Latorre, visited Taiwan today (8th) to meet with President of the Republic of China, Lai Ching-te. Latorre expressed that Paraguay will always stand by Taiwan because Taiwan’s insistence on important values such as freedom and sovereignty is also the belief of Paraguay, and will steadfastly voice for Taiwan on various international platforms.
President Lai Ching-te received Paraguay’s Speaker of the House, Latorre, and his delegation when giving a speech, stating, “First of all, I warmly welcome Speaker Latorre to lead a bipartisan group of congressmen to Taiwan to participate in our National Day celebrations, fully demonstrating the importance that the Paraguayan parliament places on Taiwan, further deepening the friendship between the two countries.”
He mentioned that in 2023, as a special envoy of former President Tsai Ing-wen, he attended the inauguration ceremony of President Peña, and had a meal with Speaker Latorre and Chairman Añazco of the Foreign Affairs Committee, leaving a deep impression. Last year, Speaker Latorre also visited Taiwan to attend his and Vice President Siu Meiqin’s inauguration, and is pleased to meet again in Taiwan today.
President Lai Ching-te thanked Speaker Latorre and the visiting delegation for their long-term support for Taiwan, especially that Speaker Latorre has voiced for Taiwan on various international occasions, and the Paraguayan parliament continues to support Taiwan’s international participation through statements of friendship with Taiwan, which deeply moves the people of Taiwan.
Furthermore, President Lai Ching-te mentioned that President Peña spoke up for Taiwan at this year’s United Nations General Debate, emphasizing that “doing the right thing is priceless” and that Taiwan must have a seat at the United Nations to represent the people of Taiwan, expressing sincere gratitude.
President Lai Ching-te stated that in recent years, with the support of the Paraguayan government and parliament, Taiwan and Paraguay have achieved fruitful cooperation in various fields such as education, agriculture, infrastructure, and women’s empowerment. Through joint efforts, the “Medical Information System” has been introduced to over a thousand public medical institutions in Paraguay to enhance the quality of medical services.
President Lai Ching-te mentioned that currently, “Tai-Pa Technological University” has nurtured 174 outstanding young people in Paraguay; the resumption and upgrading of “Tai-Pa Smart Technology Park” have also attracted attention from Taiwanese companies, contributing to industrial cooperation between the two countries. In the future, both sides will continue to promote various cooperation projects for the benefit of the people.
He emphasized that Taiwan and Paraguay are brotherly nations sharing democratic and freedom values. Looking back at the early 1990s, both countries embarked on the path of democratization almost simultaneously, ushering in a new chapter through democratic elections. Faced with the expansion of authoritarianism and rapid changes in the international situation, it is hoped that the two countries will work together to face the challenges of the new era, safeguard democracy and freedom, and make more contributions to global peace and prosperity. And wished the long-lasting friendship and prosperity of the two countries.
Speaker Latorre expressed in his speech that this time leading the largest and most representative delegation of 16 congressmen from Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies to Taiwan, representing all different political parties, they conveyed a clear message: Paraguay will always stand by Taiwan, this friend and ally, because Taiwan’s insistence on important values such as freedom, sovereignty, and democracy is also the unwavering belief of Paraguay, and will steadfastly voice for Taiwan on various international platforms.
Latorre pointed out the enduring friendship and partnership between Paraguay and Taiwan, foreseeing many potential cooperation and development opportunities in the future. Paraguay has world-class advantages in clean energy and agriculture. Currently, pork can enter the Taiwan market tariff-free and is highly favored by Taiwanese consumers. Paraguay is also a country full of opportunities, with advantages such as a low-tax environment, the dividend of a young population, and the potential for AI industry development. In the future, cooperation with Taiwan’s industries will create a new situation.
He mentioned that Paraguay has been baptized by war and understands the value of peace, hence immediately condemning China’s military aggression around Taiwan. Whether in moral or geopolitical terms, Paraguay stands closely with like-minded countries in defending the values of freedom, democracy, and sovereignty. Although Taiwan and Paraguay are located at opposite ends of the world, they have never been closer than they are now, and the members of the delegation share a common goal of further deepening the friendship and brotherhood between the two countries.
The delegation members include Chairman of the Taiwan-Paraguay Friendship Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, Gamarra, and his wife, Deputies Arrechea, Salinas, Centurión, Vallejo, Del Puerto, Blanco, Figueredo, Benítez, Aguilera, Aguilera, and Remesowski.