Haitian President Moise visits Taiwan

ROC Central News Agency

2018/05/27 14:43:24

Taipei, May 27 (CNA) Haitian President Jovenel Moise will arrive in Taiwan on Monday for a 5-day state visit, his first since he took office in early 2017, according to Taiwan's foreign ministry.

On arrival, Moise and his 30-member delegation will be welcomed by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) with a military ceremony in his honor in front of the Presidential Office, the ministry said in a statement Saturday.

After the military ceremony, Tsai and Moise will hold discussions and sign a joint communique, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said.

Later in the day, Tsai will host a banquet for Moise, his wife and the delegation, which includes president of the Haitian Senate Joseph Lambert, president of the Lower House Gary Bodeau, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Rodrigue, according MOFA.

In recognition of Moise's support for Taiwan and his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, Tsai will confer on him the Order of Brilliant Jade, the highest order presented by the Republic of China (Taiwan) to foreign heads of state, MOFA said.

In turn, Moise will decorate Tsai with the Grand Cross of the National Order of Honour and Merit, the top presidential award of his country that is given to both Haitians and foreign nationals to acknowledge distinction in the areas of diplomacy, politics, the arts, charitable works and other fields of interest to Haiti, according to the foreign ministry.

Moise's 5-day state visit, his first to Taiwan since he took office as president in February 2017, will include visits to several government agencies and state-run companies such as Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) and the Mingtan Power Plant in Nantou, the foreign ministry said.

He is also scheduled to visit a science park in Taichung and attend a forum on investment in Haiti, according to MOFA.

Taiwan and Haiti established diplomatic ties in 1956 and have since deepened bilateral relations, which has resulted in cooperation in the areas such as infrastructural, agricultural and forestry development, energy, education, environmental protection, medical care, and public health, the foreign ministry said.

The two countries will continue to discuss ways of promoting more cooperation projects based on their existing friendship and to deepen their relationship, the ministry said.

Haiti is one of the countries that have affirmed staunch support for Taiwan to participate in the United Nations and other international organizations, according to MOFA.

(By Elaine Hou and Evelyn Kao)
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