President Lai Hopes to Deepen Cooperation; Guatemalan Speaker: Always Taiwan's Loyal Friend

(CNA Taipei, July 8) President Lai Ching-te met with Guatemalan National Congress President Luis Alberto Contreras Colíndres today, stating that Taiwan and Guatemala are brotherly nations. Guatemala is not only steadily advancing its national development strategy of the "Chip Road" but also deepening its economic and trade ties with Taiwan. He expressed hope for continued deepening of diplomatic relations and co-creation of prosperity. Contreras emphasized that the Guatemalan Congress is always a good and loyal friend to Taiwan.

President Lai received Guatemalan National Congress President Luis Alberto Contreras Colíndres (also translated as Contreras) at the Presidential Office this morning.

President Lai mentioned that Contreras and several other attending members of congress are visiting for the first time and expressed confidence that this trip will deepen their understanding of Taiwan. He thanked the delegation for their actions in deepening inter-parliamentary exchanges between the two countries and for once again demonstrating the profound friendship between the two nations to the international community.

President Lai said that Taiwan and Guatemala are brotherly nations, and over the years, they have continuously deepened their cooperative relationship, achieving fruitful results in various fields such as healthcare, industrial development, and economic and trade exchanges.

President Lai stated that in June last year, Guatemalan President Arévalo and his spouse made a state visit to Taiwan, not only reaffirming the good bilateral relations between the two countries but also expressing new directions for bilateral cooperation. At that time, he and President Arévalo jointly signed a letter of intent for semiconductor cooperation and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents between the two countries, establishing a political consultation mechanism to continuously promote bilateral investment cooperation.

The President said that through the exchanges and efforts of both countries, Guatemala is not only steadily advancing its national development strategy of the "Chip Road" but also deepening its economic and trade ties with Taiwan. Guatemala's exports to Taiwan have reached US$130 million for two consecutive years, demonstrating the vast cooperation potential between the two countries.

He said that Guatemala is Taiwan's largest supplier of sugar and fourth-largest supplier of coffee. High-quality agricultural products from Guatemala have long been a part of the daily lives of many Taiwanese people. In the future, Taiwan will continue to encourage more Taiwanese businesses to use Guatemala as an important hub for their layout in the South American market, continuing to deepen diplomatic relations and co-create prosperity.

President Lai also thanked Contreras for signing a pro-Taiwan resolution in May this year, supporting Taiwan's participation in the United Nations system and the World Health Organization, and thanked the Guatemalan Congress for its strong support in jointly advocating for Taiwan's international participation.

The President looks forward to Taiwan and Guatemala continuing to walk side-by-side, supporting each other internationally, and jointly promoting progress and prosperity for both countries and the world.

Contreras then delivered a speech, stating that the Guatemalan Congress greatly cherishes Taiwan and is always a good and loyal friend to Taiwan. He described this as a very important historical moment to strengthen the historical bilateral diplomatic ties and cooperative relationship between Taiwan and Guatemala.

Contreras said that Taiwan is an inspiring national model in many fields, including social development, innovation, and economic growth. Taiwan has proven to the world that through firm perseverance, foresight, and diligent effort, remarkable achievements can be made.

Contreras stated that as representatives of the Guatemalan people, the Guatemalan Congress reaffirms its firm stance to continue working hand-in-hand with Taiwan. He further expressed his anticipation that through this visit, the strategic alliance between Taiwan and Guatemala will be further strengthened, continuing to create a future of shared prosperity. "We will always be friends of Taiwan." (Editor: Su Lung-chi) 1150708)