Premier Mao Chi-kuo today received Burkina Faso's Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac Zida at the Executive Yuan, expressing a hearty welcome to the delegation and thanking the West African ally for its longstanding support for the Republic of China in the international community. The premier hopes that the bilateral relationship will grow closer and benefit peoples of the two countries.
Since the resumption of formal relations between the ROC and Burkina Faso in 1994, a series of mutually beneficial cooperative projects have yielded positive results in the areas of vocational training, agriculture, medical care and solar energy. The frequency of high-level exchanges between officials of the two countries also demonstrates the closeness of relations. This year, the ROC increased the number of scholarships to outstanding Burkinabe students in the hopes that they can serve as a bridge for civilian exchanges in the future.
Premier Mao cited many international occasions in which Burkina Faso expressed strong support for Taiwan, including last year at the World Health Assembly in May, at the U.N. General Assembly in September, and at the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change 20th Session of the Conference of Parties in December. The premier sincerely hopes the ally will continue doing what it can to support Taiwan.
Prime Minister Zida has good relations with Taiwan, Mao continued. Zida has visited on the ROC government's invitation many times, gaining a deep understanding of Taiwan's economic development and of the two sides' cooperative relations. He can be described as a steadfast friend and partner to Taiwan, Mao said.
Zida has also gained trust from many nations for leading his country through a major government transition recently. Premier Mao believes that Zida will also lead Burkina Faso successfully through its presidential and legislation elections this October.
Mao and Zida took photographs and exchanged gifts representing the friendship between the two nations. Zida expressed admiration to the ROC for promoting regional peace and improving cross-strait relations. He reiterated Burkina Faso's commitment to supporting the ROC's participation in the international community.