President Tsai welcomes President Giammattei of Guatemala

2023/04/27

President Tsai Ing-wen received Guatemala President Alejandro Eduardo Giammattei Falla at the Presidential Office April 25 in Taipei City and pledged to continue deepening ties with the Central American ally.
 
Tsai first welcomed Giammattei with a full military salute before conferring on him the Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand Cordon and hosting a state luncheon in his honor. The leaders later discussed matters of mutual interest, joined by Vice President Lai Ching-te and Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu.
 
The president praised the hospitality extended to her and her delegation during her visit to Guatemala earlier this month, and added that Giammattei’s support is sincerely appreciated by the government and people of Taiwan. According to Tsai, Taiwan and Guatemala are robust partners that have enjoyed steadily expanding trade and economic ties since she first took office in 2016.
 
Coffee received particular mention, as Guatemala is the fourth leading supplier of coffee to Taiwan. The president said that both countries regularly stage campaigns to promote the product in Taiwan, including one that she and Giammattei will attend together during his visit.
 
Tsai also took the opportunity to thank Giammattei for advocating for Taiwan on the international stage since he took office in 2020. Continued cooperation between both governments will benefit the people of both countries, she added.
 
In response, Giammattei said it is a great honor to come to Taiwan to enhance the bilateral relationship and expand exchanges in areas such as politics, economy and culture.
 
The allies formed a strong bond when their diplomatic relations began in 1934, Giammattei said. Guatemala’s friendship and support for Taiwan will never change, he added, saying that his country will always stand with Taiwan.
 
Giammattei urged Tsai to continue to demonstrate Taiwan’s economic and social progress to the world so the country can serve as a role model when it comes to upholding democratic values. He also called for full U.N. membership and full participation for Taiwan. 


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)