New Paraguay, Belize ambassadors present credentials to President Lai

Taipei, Sept. 12 (CNA) Paraguay's Darío Filártiga Ruiz Díaz and Belize's Katherine Meighan presented their credentials as the nations' new incoming ambassadors to Taiwan to President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) at the Presidential Office on Friday.

Speaking Friday, Filártiga reaffirmed Paraguay's support for Taiwan's global participation and expressed his wish for mutual growth and stronger bilateral ties through greater Paraguayan exports to Taiwan and increased Taiwanese investment in Paraguay.

Lai highlighted economic, educational and political ties between the two countries, noting that trade has grown since the 2018 Economic Cooperation Agreement and that joint initiatives in technology, transport and health care have "greatly enhanced quality of life" for both nations.

Filártiga previously served as a political advisor to former Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes and visited Taiwan three times.

Lai said that this had given Filártiga deep regional expertise, making him well-positioned to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Later Friday, Meighan presented her credentials to Lai, and she said at the ceremony that Belize looks forward to expanding cooperation across education, culture, technology and climate initiatives.

She also affirmed Belize's commitment to deepening bilateral ties, thanked Taiwan for its support to Belize and its nearby regions, and reiterated firm backing for Taiwan's international participation.

In response, Lai noted that October marks the 36th anniversary of Taiwan-Belize diplomatic ties, welcomed the growth in trade since the 2022 Economic Cooperation Agreement -- including Taiwan's July approval of Belizean frozen seafood -- and expressed confidence in deepening economic and investment relations.

He said Meighan's presence "demonstrates Belize's commitment to the friendship" and paves the way for new milestones in bilateral relations.

Meighan, "a longtime friend of Taiwan" and National Chengchi University alumna, has excelled in Belize's business and civic sectors, fostered trade and investment ties, and promoted women's empowerment and SME development, supporting further collaboration in education, gender equality, and economic cooperation, Lai added.