The Caribbean nation of St. Lucia is planning to set up an embassy in Taiwan.
President Ma Ying-jeou met with St. Lucia’s Minister of External Affairs, International Trade, and Civil Aviation, Alva Baptiste, on Tuesday. Baptiste is in Taipei to discuss details about setting up the embassy. Ma said Taiwan can offer assistance and looks forward to strengthening ties with St. Lucia.
Ma said that since resuming diplomatic ties eight years ago, the two sides have worked together in the areas of agriculture, medicine, infrastructure, and information and communications. The president said Taiwan will continue to assist with a number of projects, including including the construction of fishing ports, reconstruction of hospitals and sustainable energy development.
The two sides also promote academic exchanges. There are currently 80 students from St. Lucia studying in Taiwan on scholarship.
President Ma also thanked St. Lucia for supporting Taiwan’s bid for meaningful participation in international organizations.