A delegation of Paraguayan National Congress and Senate Speaker Basilio Gustavo Núñez Giménez visited the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Tsai Ing-wen, on the 5th of November. The Paraguayan Senate Speaker reaffirmed the 67-year historical bond between Paraguay and Taiwan, emphasizing the unwavering commitment and the irreplaceable brotherly bond that transcends monetary value.
President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan welcomed the delegation of the Paraguayan National Congress and Senate Speaker Núñez and his wife, expressing gratitude to President Santiago Peña Palacios and the Paraguayan government for their support of Taiwan’s international participation. She highlighted the fruitful collaboration between Taiwan and Paraguay in various sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and women empowerment. President Tsai expressed hopes for continued cooperation to benefit the livelihoods of the people in both countries.
During his address, Speaker Núñez mentioned that this visit to Taiwan was a first-time experience for most members of the delegation. The purpose was to reaffirm the longstanding 67-year historical friendship between Paraguay and Taiwan, rooted in mutual sincerity and brotherly bonds that cannot be replaced by money. He emphasized the values of economic development, prosperity, and peace for their respective nations and reiterated Paraguay’s firm stance against escalating tensions in the region, advocating for freedom of navigation between nations while respecting human rights, freedoms, and democracy.
Núñez described the visit as a learning journey to gain insights into Taiwan’s prosperous development. He conveyed President Peña’s resolute statement that Paraguay is not only a good friend but also a steadfast partner in seeking a path to prosperity together with Taiwan.
President Tsai Ing-wen expressed her delight in welcoming Speaker Núñez, his wife, and the bipartisan heavyweight senators at the Presidential Office. She thanked them for their continuous efforts to deepen the friendship between Taiwan and Paraguay. The President remarked that the distinguished guests present were long-time supporters of Taiwan, with Speaker Núñez and Senator Derlis Hernán Maidana Zarza serving as Vice Chairman and Secretary of the Paraguayan Senate’s “Taiwan-Paraguay Friendship Committee”. She thanked them for their recent expressions of support amid heightened tensions, affirming the strong bond between the two nations.
President Tsai also acknowledged President Peña and the Paraguayan government for their backing of Taiwan’s international participation, particularly highlighting President Peña’s advocacy for Taiwan at the United Nations events earlier this year. She emphasized the mutual support and close cooperation between Taiwan and Paraguay, recalling her visit to Paraguay last year, where she experienced the warmth of the Paraguayan people and witnessed the strong partnership between the two countries.
Taiwan and Paraguay have seen significant collaboration in various fields like education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and women empowerment. President Tsai expressed aspirations for continued cooperation to enhance the well-being of the people in both nations, underscoring their shared values of democracy and freedom. She hoped that Speaker Núñez and all the distinguished guests would continue to support Taiwan in countering authoritarian expansion, safeguarding shared values, and promoting global democracy, peace, and prosperity. President Tsai extended warm welcomes to the delegation, wishing them a successful and fulfilling visit.
Apart from Speaker Núñez, the delegation included Paraguayan Senators Maidana, Kemper, and Rojas, accompanied by Taiwan’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wu Chih-chung, and Paraguay’s Ambassador to Taiwan, Carlos Fleitas. The meeting with President Tsai at the Presidential Office was also attended by the Secretary-General of the Presidential Office, Pan Meng-an.