President Tsai Ing-wen has thanked Nicaragua’s outgoing ambassador to Taiwan, Willian Tapia, for helping promote bilateral ties. Tsai was speaking during a meeting with Tapia at the Presidential Office Thursday.
Tapia has served as ambassador to Taiwan for over twelve years. Last month, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega issued an edict removing him from the position for unspecified reasons.
Tsai thanked Tapia for promoting exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan sides in the areas of art, culture, trade, health, and agriculture, as well as science and technology.
Tsai also said that Tapia’s efforts to deepen Taiwan-Nicaragua ties have borne fruit. Bilateral trade volume hit a record high last year, reaching US$140 million.
Tsai also said that Tapia left a deep impression on Taiwan’s people last year, after Taiwan and former Pacific ally the Solomon Islands severed diplomatic ties. At the time, Tapia voiced his support for Taiwan, saying, “Taiwan is not alone, as I will stand by you.”