Two treaties were signed on Monday between the Governments of St Vincent and the Grenadines and the Republic of China on Taiwan, that will see the deepening of ties between both island nations.

President Tsai lng-wen (facing camera, centre), Vice President Lai (left), and the President’s advisor, raise their glasses in a toast at the official State Banquet held in honour of the visit of Prime Minister of SVG Dr Ralph Gonsalves to Taiwan. Dr Ralph Gonsalves (forefront left, back to camera) and Dr Orando Brewater (fore front right) also have their glasses raised. (Photo credit: Taiwanese Presidential Office)

The signing of the treaties form part of the activities of Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves’ six-day state visit to Taiwan, which began on August 7.

The treaties signed, according to a release from the Agency for Public Information (API), were the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, and a Treaty between both nations on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

A letter of intent for the cooperation on higher education was also signed yesterday during the Prime Minister’s first official day of his visit.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves (eighth from left) and other members of the Vincentian delegation, with President Tsai lng-wen and other Taiwanese officials at a State Banquet on Monday, August 8, in Taipei. (Photo credit: Taiwanese Presidential Office)

Gonsalves also celebrated his 76th birthday yesterday, August 8.

The API reported that the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines was treated to “the most honourable reception accorded to a visiting dignitary by the President of the Republic of China on Taiwan”, in celebration of his birthday and official state visit to Taipei.
The reception included the flying of the Vincentian and Taiwanese flags on the streets of Taipei and a military honours parade.

Tsai Ing-wen, president of Taiwan and Gonsalves met briefly following official reception, after which they engaged in the signing of the two treaties.

The president also hosted a State Banquet in the prime minister’s honour.

Gonsalves reportedly met with Deputy Political Minister in the Ministry of Education, Mon-chi Lio and Taipei’s Foreign Minister, Dr Jaushieh Joseph Wu.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves signing one of two treaties between the two nations, while Taiwan President Tsai lng-wen (centre) looks on. (Photo credit: Taiwanese Presidential Office)

The Foreign Affairs Minister also hosted a dinner in Gonsalves’ honour to end the first official day of his state visit.

Included among the delegation from St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) are Minister of National Mobilization Dr Orando Brewster and his wife Latheisha, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Angie Jackson, Ambassador of the Embassy of SVG in Taiwan Andrea Bowman, Chairman of the National Insurance Services Lennox Bowman, Information Officer, Agency for Public Information Shevrell McMillan and Security Officer Kendal Horne.

The Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ visit coincides with military operations being carried out by China around Taiwan.
Taiwan news reported that on his arrival to the island state, Gonsalves said his country finds it “unacceptable for threats to be made; threats of violence, threats of aggression, which by their very nature destabilize East Asia and indeed, the world,” Gonsalves said.

He said his country has made its position very clear: “We particularly do not like when big and powerful countries threaten smaller ones.”
Gonsalves’ six-day state visit to Taiwan concludes on Friday, August 12.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves and President Tsai lng-wen inspect the guard at a military parade on Monday, held in honour of the State visit of Gonsalves to Taiwan.