New Guatemala ambassador presents credentials to President Lai

Taipei, Jan. 6 (CNA) Guatemala's new Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Luis Raúl Estévez López on Monday pledged to enhance 90 years of diplomatic relations, as he presented his credentials to President Lai Ching-te (賴清德).

In an address at the Presidential Office in Taipei, Estévez said Taiwan and Guatemala's long-term friendship is based on shared values of peace-loving, fighting for democracy, mutually beneficial partnership and respect for international laws.

Meanwhile, President Lai praised Estévez as the perfect man for the ambassador's position, given the veteran diplomat's 32 years of experience with Guatemala's foreign service.

Estévez previously served as Guatemala's representative to the Organization of American States, and to the International Court of Justice, and his appointment as ambassador reflected the high priority Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo has given to his country's ties with Taiwan, Lai said.

The president called on Estévez, who replaced Oscar Adolfo Padilla Lam as ambassador, to continue to help both countries deepen the already strong cooperation on all fronts.

The ROC established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Guatemala in 1934, when the ROC government was still based in mainland China.

Guatemala is one of Taiwan's two diplomatic allies in Central America, the other being Belize.

Guatemala and Belize are among the 12 countries that have official diplomatic relations with the ROC rather than the People's Republic of China.

Upon arriving in Taiwan in November, Estévez first presented a copy of his letter of credentials to Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) on Nov. 15 before Monday's ceremony.

Only after completing these procedures is a new ambassador recognized as the representative of his or her country, according to diplomatic protocol.