President Tsai Ing-wen lauded the strength of relations between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Swaziland while receiving a delegation from the diplomatic ally led by Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini at the Office of the President March 27 in Taipei City, adding that she anticipates the two countries deepening bilateral cooperation and exchanges across the board.
Swaziland has always been the ROC’s most steadfast partner in Africa, with the government attaching great importance to diplomatic ties spanning nearly half a century, Tsai said. The ROC looks forward to working with Swaziland on further developing this valuable relationship in line with the government’s steadfast diplomacy approach of mutual assistance for mutual benefits, she added.
The close and friendly relations enjoyed by the ROC and Swaziland are evidenced by frequent exchanges between high-level officials from the two nations, Tsai said, citing the attendance at her presidential inauguration last May by Swaziland’s ruler King Mswati III and Prince Hlangusemphi Dlamini, who doubles as the minister of economic planning and development, and Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze, minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation.
As a show of goodwill and to reaffirm the government’s commitment to bilateral ties, Tsai said she is sending a delegation headed by David Tawei Lee, minister of foreign affairs, to the southeast African nation for the king’s birthday celebrations in April.
Tsai also expressed her sincere gratitude for Swaziland’s unflagging support in urging Taiwan’s expanded participation in organizations and entities like the International Civil Aviation Organization, U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and World Health Organization. The president added that she expects the two countries will continue supporting each other in the international arena.
The ROC and Swaziland established diplomatic relations in September 1968 after the latter was granted independence by the U.K. Over the years, the public and private sectors in Taiwan have implemented a raft of agricultural, educational, health care, technological and transportation projects in the landlocked nation. (SFC-E)
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