Visiting Tuvaluan Prime Minister Kausea Natano on Monday pledged to “stand firm to remain a lasting and loyal ally” of Taiwan during a ceremony held in Taipei to welcome his first-ever visit to the country as the head of the Pacific island government.
At a military ceremony hosted by President Tsai Ing-wen (???) in front of the Presidential Office, Natano said his visit was a “testament of our shared and genuine commitment to our longstanding friendship forged since 1979,” when his country and the Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan’s official name, established diplomatic relations.
“These 43 years … will be a lasting, genuine, endurable partnership between us,” he said.
In the time of uncertainty, the Tuvaluan leader said his country continues to “stand firm in our commitment to remain a lasting and loyal ally of the ROC.”
He said the cornerstone of bilateral ties involves two nations founded on the principles of democracy, trust, human rights, and individual freedoms.
Natano also thanked Taiwan for the support it had offered to his country over the past decades.
Tsai, meanwhile, welcomed Natano’s first visit since taking office as the leader of Tuvalu’s government in 2019.
On behalf of Taiwan’s government and its people, the president expressed gratitude for the support Tuvalu had shown Taiwan on the international stage and for its “invaluable friendship.”
Tsai said during Natano’s ongoing visit both sides will exchange views on international development and issues of mutual interests as well as ways to further enhance ties.
During Monday’s military ceremony, Natano and his delegation of officials received a 21-gun salute and the national anthems of the two countries were played.
Tsai and Natano then observed a parade of honor guards and military bands.
On Monday afternoon, Natano and Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (???) were scheduled to sign a joint communiqué to reaffirm diplomatic relations ahead of the 43rd anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties later this month, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The delegation will also sign two agreements on police and coast guard cooperation with Taiwan’s Ministry of the Interior and the Ocean Affairs Council, and a memorandum of understanding with Kaohsiung-based National Sun Yat-sen University on education and maritime research, MOFA said.
The delegation from Tuvalu, one of 14 states to still maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, arrived on Sept. 3 and will be in Taiwan until Sept. 9.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel