Honduran president reiterates support for Taiwan

Visiting Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez on Monday reiterated his country's support for Taiwan's bids to participate in international organizations, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and World Health Organization.

Hernandez also expressed support for the "steadfast diplomacy" promoted by President Tsai Ing-wen (???), which he said will help Taiwan expand its international space and benefit the international community, according to a joint declaration signed by the two leaders.

He praised Tsai for her clear strategies and policies to boost Taiwan's economic development, which includes plans to establish a green technology park in Tainan and an "Asian Silicon Valley" in Taoyuan and to develop other innovative industries.

Tsai praised Hernandez for his national development plan dubbed "Honduras 20/20," which aims to create 600,000 jobs by 2020 by promoting four key sectors in which Honduras has competitive advantages: tourism, textiles, manufacturing and business services.

She promised to help speed up the process for helping Honduran melons gain access to Taiwan's market.

She also expressed appreciation for Hernandez's efforts to promote the Alliance for Prosperity in the Northern Triangle of Central America and the Honduras-Guatemala customs union.

Hernandez, who arrived in Taiwan Saturday on a state visit, is the first head of state among Taiwan's diplomatic allies in Latin America to visit the country since May 20, when Tsai took office as president.

Tsai welcomed Hernandez with a military ceremony earlier Monday before they began talks at the Presidential Office.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel