NEW YORK, NY, December 6, 2007: Ambassador Camillo Gonsalves joined a delegation of seven United Nations Ambassadors in traveling to Taiwan for a week of discussions with high-ranking officials. While in Taiwan, the Ambassador also took time to meet with Vincentian students who are attending university in the state.

High-Level Delegation

Ambassador Gonsalves was joined in Taiwan by the United Nations Ambassadors from Belize, Dominican Republic, Gambia, Malawi, Nicaragua and Tuvalu. Taiwan's Ambassador in New York also accompanied the delegation. The delegation's hectic schedule was filled with high-level discussions with Government officials, culminating with a two-hour meeting with Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian. In addition to meeting with President Chen, Ambassador Gonsalves held substantive discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Information, the Vice-Minister of Economic Affairs, the Deputy Minister of Health and the Speaker of the Taiwanese Parliament, the Legislative Yuan.

Ambassador Gonsalves also met with the Chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council, the Deputy Secretary General of the International Cooperation and Development Fund, the Deputy Mayor of Kaohsiung City, the Deputy Administrator of Fisheries and Agriculture, and the Director General of the Department of International Organizations.

While most activities were centered in the capital city of Taipei, Ambassador Gonsalves also traveled to Kaohsiung in the south and Hsinchu in the north of Taiwan.

Meeting with President Chen

When Ambassador Gonsalves met with President Chen, he reiterated St. Vincent and the Grenadines strong relations with Taiwan, and expressed thanks on behalf of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for Taiwan's generous friendship and assistance. Ambassador Gonsalves also praised Taiwan's measured and principled campaign to achieve membership in the United Nations. He also offered a number of substantive suggestions for ways in which Taiwan's membership bid may be enhanced. Ambassador Gonsalves also mentioned a number of potential areas of cooperation that he was discussing with other Taiwanese officials, and expressed hope that the President, Cabinet and Parliament would view them favourably.

In his discussions with other ministers and officials, Ambassador Gonsalves made important preliminary steps in laying the groundwork for future cooperation between Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, particularly in the area of fisheries, sanitation, and childhood education.

Meeting with Vincentian Students

Ambassador Gonsalves also insisted on meeting with as many Vincentian students as possible. He set aside two evenings, in which he hosted 6-7 students each night for dinner. Ambassador Gonsalves and the students discussed the progress of their education, the challenges and opportunities of living in Taiwan, and other matters of interest. The students also peppered Ambassador Gonsalves with questions about St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and of his own position as a United Nations Ambassador. Ambassador Gonsalves expressed immense pride in the progress of the students, and praised them for their achievements and exemplary representation of their home country.

Cultural Activities

Ambassador Gonsalves also visited the National Palace Museum and the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, in addition to the Love River and Taipei 101, the world's tallest building.