Top Haitian diplomat makes first visit to Taiwan

Taipei, July 7 (CNA) Haiti's foreign minister has arrived in Taiwan for his first-ever visit to the country since taking office in January, and he will be meeting with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) to enhance bilateral ties, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said on Monday.

Minister Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, leading a five-member delegation that includes his wife, Tatiana Florencio Silva Jean-Baptiste, and his chief of staff, Claude Jeudy, arrived at Taoyuan International Airport Monday morning. They were welcomed by Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi (陳明祺), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

According to MOFA, Jean-Baptiste's visit also aims to reaffirm the Caribbean ally's support for bilateral diplomatic relations.

In addition to meeting Lai at the Presidential Office on Tuesday, Jean-Baptiste will hold talks with his Taiwanese counterpart, Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), to discuss shared concerns and bilateral cooperation projects, MOFA said.

The Haitian delegation will visit the South Taiwan Science Park in Tainan, Chi Mei Medical Center, the National Palace Museum, and Taipei 101, and will also meet with Haitian recipients of Taiwan government scholarships, according to MOFA.

Haiti, one of Taiwan's 12 diplomatic allies, has faced ongoing gang violence and social unrest since the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse at his home in July 2021.