Joint Communique Signing Ceremony
A joint communiqué has been officially signed between Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony and President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Ma Ying-Jeou.
The document, which summarizes relations between the Taiwanese president and the St. Lucian government during President Ma’s visit to the island between August 15 -18, 2013, was signed today, August 16, 1013.
Among the matters highlighted in the document are talks between the President Ma and the St. Lucian government on issues relating to climate change, possible economic interventions from Taiwan and the current global economic crisis.
The entire document has been reprinted below for your viewing:
JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ
BETWEEN
THE HONOURABLE DR. KENNY D. ANTHONY,
PRIME MINISTER OF SAINT LUCIA
AND
HIS EXCELLENCY MA YING-JEOU,
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN)
At the invitation of the Honourable Dr. Kenny D. Anthony, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, His Excellency Ma Ying-jeou, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), paid a state visit to Saint Lucia from the fifteenth to the eighteenth of August, 2013. The President and his delegation received a warm welcome at the Hewanorra International Airport, where they were met by ministers and other officials of the Government of Saint Lucia.
During the visit, President Ma and Prime Minister Anthony cordially exchanged views on current world events and issues of mutual interest.
1. President Ma and Prime Minister Anthony underscored the importance of peace and stability for the welfare, prosperity and development of all people. As such, they reaffirmed their commitment to closer cooperation in an effort to promote peace, prosperity and human dignity in their respective regions.
2.Prime Minister Anthony welcomed President Ma’s efforts to improve “cross-strait” relations and encouraged all initiatives geared toward the peaceful resolution of these issues. President Ma expressed support for Prime Minister Anthony’s efforts in promoting the welfare of the people of Saint Lucia and acknowledged that both countries treasured the fundamental values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.
3.Prime Minister Anthony expressed admiration for the efforts of President Ma to bring to justice those engaged in corrupt activities in his country. The two leaders emphasized that corruption retarded economic growth and development, led to penury, inequity and undermined good governance. The two leaders concluded that corruption, therefore, must be denounced and vigorously tackled in accordance with the rule of law.
4. Prime Minister Anthony reiterated Saint Lucia’s support for the aspirations of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to seek membership in international organizations, such as the World Health Organisation, and expressed his belief that the international community has much to gain from the contribution, expertise and experience of as many stakeholders as possible.
5. Prime Minister Anthony and President Ma confirmed the importance of the need for climate change adaptation and mitigation, particularly to Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Prime Minister Anthony noted that Saint Lucia is highly vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change. He indicated that this has had the coupled effect of stunting economic growth and increasing debt levels as Saint Lucia has had to take actions to mitigate the impacts of climate change and to respond to the debilitating effects of disasters.
6. President Ma expressed the understanding of the Republic of China (Taiwan) that cooperation on disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and mitigation is important for the future development of Saint Lucia.
7. Prime Minister Anthony noted and supported the participation of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in global climate change action through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
8. President Ma reaffirmed that the Republic of China (Taiwan) will continue to provide assistance to support the development programme of Saint Lucia and, in particular, its agriculture and tourism sectors; science and technology; healthcare; sustainable energy; public sector modernisation; community infrastructure; and poverty alleviation. The Republic of China (Taiwan) will also share other aspects of its social, human and economic development experiences with Saint Lucia.
9. Prime Minister Anthony emphasized the importance of private sector investment to Saint Lucia’s sustainable economic growth and invited the Republic of China (Taiwan) to encourage foreign direct investment, particularly in tourism and manufacturing, so as to deepen economic partnership.
10. As a consequence, President Ma and Prime Minister Anthony concluded that the two countries should pursue an agreement for the promotion and protection of investment, as well as arrangements for the promotion of trade, technology transfer and travel.
11. On behalf of the Government and People of Saint Lucia, Prime Minister Anthony expressed his gratitude for the assistance of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in improving Saint Lucia’s infrastructure at the national and community levels. He also expressed appreciation for partnerships in the field of agriculture, health, education and human resource development, which all redound to the benefit of the people of Saint Lucia.
12. The two leaders pledged their continued cooperation and friendship as they seek to further the common interests of their peoples.
13. President Ma expressed sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Anthony, as well as to the Government and People of Saint Lucia for the warm hospitality and courtesies extended to him and the members of his delegation.
Done in duplicate in the English and Chinese languages, in Castries, Saint Lucia, on the sixteenth day of August in the year Two Thousand and Thirteen, corresponding to the sixteenth day of the eighth month in the One Hundred and Second year of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
……………………………………. ………………………………………
Kenny D Anthony Ma Ying-Jeou
Prime Minister President Saint Lucia Republic of China (Taiwan)