Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) met with St. Lucia’s Deputy Prime Minister Ernest Hilaire on Tuesday to exchange views on Taiwan’s international participation and discuss future cooperation opportunities. Hilaire led a delegation to Taiwan on Monday for a five-day trip.
The trip marks Hilaire’s first visit to Taiwan and the second senior St. Lucian politician to visit this year. The delegation also includes the chair of the St. Lucian government-funded Cultural Development Foundation Sidney Darwin Guard and other officials.
In their meeting, Lai thanked St. Lucia for advocating for Taiwan’s international participation. Taiwan was not invited to this year’s World Health Assembly, and Lai took the opportunity to urge democratic countries not to be restricted by the One China principle.
Hilaire says Taiwan should be allowed to fully participate in international organizations. He says his country will fully support Taiwan’s participation and membership in international organizations when given the opportunity.
Meanwhile, Lai also says he looks forward to working with St. Lucia, especially in the tourism sector. Hilaire says he hopes to work with Taiwan on cultural and creative industries to bring their people closer together.