Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 08, 2017 (SKNIS): In just a little over one year, Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, and President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Her Excellency Dr. Tsai Ing-Wen, have met on two occasions, a testimony to the over three decade deep friendship between the two countries.
On the first occasion, Prime Minister Harris led a delegation to the historic inauguration of President Tsai, when she assumed office on May 20, 2016, as the first woman president of the Republic of China.
The second meeting of the two leaders came during an official visit of Prime Minister Harris to the Republic of China from June 5-9, 2017. On June 8, Dr. Harris and Dr. Tsai held significant bilateral talks at the Presidential Office in Taipei on cooperation between their respective countries. St. Kitts and Nevis reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Taiwan in the international arena, while Taiwan pledged its continued cooperation to doing all it can to help St. Kitts and Nevis with its developmental goals in areas such as law enforcement, agriculture, education, health and renewable energy. President Tsai was delighted to receive the St. Kitts and Nevis delegation that accompanied the prime minister and has committed to visiting St. Kitts and Nevis at a date to be announced.
In her inaugural address in 2016, President Tsai said that Taiwan is ready and willing to work along with its allies.
“I would like to thank them for their longstanding assistance to Taiwan and for giving us the opportunity to participate in the international community. Going forward, through governmental interactions, business investment and people-to-people collaborations, we will continue to share Taiwan’s experience in economic development and building lasting partnerships with our allies,” she said.
The Republic of China is St. Kitts and Nevis’ most valuable and longest standing bilateral partner.
Dr. Harris is accompanied on his trip by Cabinet Secretary, Mrs. Josephine Huggins; Ambassador and Special Adviser to the Prime Minister, His Excellency Michael Powell; St. Kitts and Nevis’ Resident Ambassador in Taiwan, H.E. Jasmine Huggins; Senior Assistant Secretary, Chelesa Rawlins; Assistant Secretary, Jacqueline Prentice; Consultant, Warren Thompson and Superintendent of Police, McCarta Browne.
All expenses for the prime minister and his delegation’s trip, including airfare, food, transportation and accommodation in Taiwan, have been covered by the Government of the Republic of China.
