President Ma Ying-jeou praised the strength of ROC-Sao Tome and Principe ties Jan. 24 in the Central African island nation, vowing to bolster bilateral cooperation and exchanges.
“This year will mark the 17th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, with rich dividends stemming from collaboration in agriculture, energy supply, information technology, malaria control, medical care and talent training,” Ma said.
“Today, the two allies enjoy a strong friendship and look forward to extending two-way relations to cultural exchanges and education through public-private sector collaboration.”
Ma made the remarks during a meeting with Sao Tome and Principe President Manuel Pinto Da Costa during the first leg of his eight-day state visit to Africa and Central America.
According to the president, the ROC and Sao Tome and Principe have chalked up impressive achievements in cooperative programs. These include an anti-malaria program headed by internationally renowned Taiwan medical entomologist Lien Jih-ching that slashed the African country’s prevalence rate to below 4 percent.
In addition, four digital opportunity centers have been established in Sao Tome and Principe with the assistance of Taipei City-based Institute for Information Industry, Ma said, adding that plans are in the pipeline to set up at least one more.
Ma said progress is also being made on other joint projects such as establishing a medical institution and second national senior high school.
“During Sao Tome and Principe Vice President Gabriel Arcanjo Ferreira da Costa’s visit to Taiwan last year, the matter was discussed and relevant agencies and organizations are beginning efforts in this regard.”
After concluding his two-day visit to Sao Tome and Principe, Ma touched down Jan. 25 in Burkina Faso. He was welcomed at the airport by President Blaise Compaore and other senior officials.
Ma said tremendous progress has been made since the two nations resumed diplomatic ties nearly 20 years ago, with joint assistance projects praised by 91.45 percent of respondents in a recent U.S. embassy survey conducted in the landlocked West African country.
“The ROC will continue to advocate peace around the world, creating business opportunities and technologies, as well as providing humanitarian aid and promoting cultural activities,” he said.
Scheduled to attend the Jan. 27 inauguration of Honduran President-elect Juan Orlando Hernandez Alvarado, Ma will return Jan. 30 to Taiwan with a stopover in Los Angeles. (SFC-JSM)
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