On the morning of January 6, President Lai Ching-te received the credentials of new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Guatemala to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Luis Raúl Estévez López. In remarks, President Lai welcomed the ambassador to his new post and thanked Guatemala for its long-term support for Taiwan’s international participation. President Lai also stated that Taiwan and Guatemala have many cooperative achievements in areas such as medicine and public health, agricultural technology, education, and culture. He expressed hope for advancement in bilateral economic and trade exchanges and for continued mutual support to promote prosperity and development.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I am delighted to be here today at the Presidential Office to receive the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Guatemala Luis Raúl Estévez López. Last year, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Guatemala celebrated the 90th anniversary of diplomatic ties, and I want to offer a warm welcome to Ambassador Estévez as he takes up his new post at this important juncture to witness our diplomatic friendship reach a new milestone.
Ambassador Estévez is an outstanding senior diplomat with extensive experience, having served as permanent representative to both the Organization of American States and the International Court of Justice, and his posting to Taiwan shows how much President Bernardo Arévalo values our diplomatic ties. Based on the firm foundation built over the last nine decades, combined with Ambassador Estévez’ ample 32 years of diplomatic experience, I look forward to taking the friendship between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Guatemala to the next level.
I want to emphasize that over the past few years, exchanges between Taiwan and Guatemala have grown closer, with extensive cooperative achievements in areas such as medicine and public health, agricultural technology, education, and culture. In October last year, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) led a delegation to Guatemala and met with President Arévalo, continuing to deepen our bilateral diplomatic ties through action. At the beginning of President Arévalo’s term of office, I congratulated him via videoconference on behalf of the people of Taiwan, and expressed hope for continued advancement in bilateral economic and trade exchanges. First Lady Lucrecia Peinado also came to Taiwan to take part in the National Day celebrations, and we all fondly remember her visit.
I want to thank the government of Guatemala for continuing over the long term to speak up for Taiwan through various means on numerous international occasions in support of our international participation. I also hope that in the new year, with the support and assistance of Ambassador Estévez, Taiwan and Guatemala will continue to provide mutual support to promote prosperity and development in both countries. I would also like to ask Ambassador Estévez to convey Taiwan’s thanks and greetings to President Arévalo and First Lady Peinado. I hope that your work in Taiwan will go smoothly.
Ambassador Estévez then delivered remarks, saying that he is honored to be able to present his credentials to President Lai in person. He then conveyed greetings to President Lai from Guatemalan President Arévalo and wished the Republic of China (Taiwan) great prosperity. The presentation of credentials, he said, is a symbol of how much Guatemala cherishes our bilateral diplomatic ties and that his country intends to maintain and strengthen our long-term, carefully cultivated relationship as it looks forward to even more friendly relations in the future.
Ambassador Estévez mentioned that, as President Lai had just said, Guatemala and the Republic of China (Taiwan) recently celebrated the 90th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Over such a long period of time, he said, both countries have built up close and sincere exchanges and interactions, strengthening bilateral friendship through continued cooperation. The spirit of developing and strengthening bilateral relations is rooted in a shared love of peace, pursuit of democracy, and mutually beneficial relations between Guatemala and Taiwan, as well as respect for the universal values and principles of international law conducive to harmonious coexistence among nations.
Ambassador Estévez stated that Taiwan and Guatemala have maintained friendly relations for 90 years based on the principles of respect for the right of peoples to self-determination, national sovereignty, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations and that these principles are the foundation for the continuous development and strengthening of our mutually beneficial bilateral friendship. The ambassador expressed hope that future generations in Guatemala and Taiwan will recognize efforts by both sides to foster bilateral relations, helping consolidate the friendship between our nations in the future, benefitting our peoples and creating greater well-being.
On behalf of the people and government of Guatemala, Ambassador Estévez thanked the Republic of China (Taiwan) for all the assistance it has provided over the years. He also reiterated that he is extremely honored to be appointed as Guatemala’s ambassador to Taiwan by President Arévalo and that he will do his utmost to continue strengthening and expanding our bilateral friendship. Ambassador Estévez closed his remarks by expressing best wishes for the prosperity of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Guatemala and for our enduring diplomatic ties.
