Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) met with the newly appointed Philippine representative to Taiwan Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil at the Foreign Ministry’s Taipei headquarters on Monday.
Garafil is the new chair and representative of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO). MECO serves as the Philippines' unofficial embassy in Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic relations.
According to the ministry’s press release, Minister Lin said that the Philippines is a partner with ideals similar to Taiwan's. He looks forward to deepening exchanges and cooperation in trade, agriculture and fisheries, disaster prevention, education, and healthcare under Garafil's leadership.
In response, Garafil said she was honored to be assigned to Taiwan, marking her first visit to the country. She will strive to promote bilateral cooperation and further people-to-people exchanges between Taiwan and the Philippines during her tenure.
Garafil previously served as the Presidential Communications Office Secretary and took office as the chairperson and resident representative of MECO on October 1, succeeding Silvestre Hernando Bello III.