Saint Lucia holds Independence celebration, pledges support for Taiwan
Taipei, Feb. 22 (CNA) The Embassy of Saint Lucia in Taiwan celebrated the Caribbean country's 44th Anniversary of Independence on Wednesday, pledging to support Taiwan's inclusion in international decision-making bodies.
"Hence, Saint Lucia will continue to clamor and agitate at every international gathering and forum for the inclusion of Taiwan in the decision-making of our planet," said Saint Lucia's Ambassador to Taiwan Robert Kennedy Lewis at the commemoration, which was held at The Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei.
Lewis said in his opening remarks that Taiwan leads by example, exhibiting its humanity and compassion following calamities anywhere in the world.
Taiwan is always ready and willing to share with the rest of the world whatever best practices it has observed and learned through research and experience, Lewis said.
Saint Lucia will continue to respect Taiwan's right to sovereignty and respect the right of its citizens to choose their leaders, Lewis said, adding that Taiwan's citizens should be the ones to decide how they are governed.
"Therefore, as we celebrate this 44th occasion of the commemoration of Saint Lucia's independence anniversary, the Embassy of Saint Lucia to the Republic of China (Taiwan), together with the more than 150 Saint Lucian students present in Taiwan, commits to continue to build lasting bonds of friendship with the Government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan)." Lewis said.
The Saint Lucia-Taiwan relationship is predicated on mutual respect, collaboration and cooperation, Lewis said, adding that both sides have much in common, such as warmth, friendship and great hospitality.
"These attributes bundled with our value for the rule of law, democratic traditions, individual liberties and a sense of fairness is what contributes to our peaceful existence and the embracing of people with different ethnicities, religions, and traditions - a rich diversity that strengthens and enriches our countries," Lewis said.
Taiwan has become one of Saint Lucia's biggest benefactors in the last 20 years, being true and consistent to its mandate and mantra "Taiwan can Help," Lewis said.
Taiwan and Saint Lucia have worked together on several programs and training in agriculture, education, health, sports, business and commerce, youth unemployment and entrepreneurship, Lewis said.
"According to Ms. Nancy Nicholas, a seasoned Saint Lucian diplomat, 'Taiwan's strong and principled diplomacy can always be depended on to help us paddle our ships of state out of the murky waters of complex threats to our socio-economic security,' Lewis said.
Alexander Tah-ray Yui, vice minister of Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs commended the outstanding Saint Lucian students who help make up the country's community in Taiwan.
"Through those exchanges our young people have been able to learn about your country, your language, and learn a little bit more about what (the) international community is," Yui said.
Meanwhile, Saint Lucian-themed performances, including a recorded music performance by Lewis's daughter Saija Lewis showcased the country's culture and history.
Saija's performance was a compilation of recent popular Saint Lucian songs over footage of Saint Lucia in the 1970s, leading up to independence.
On Thursday, February 22, 1979, Premier John Melvin Compton received from Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra the Constitutional Order from the British Government that gave Saint Lucia the mandate to navigate the world of diplomacy and foreign relations on its own, according to Robert Kennedy Lewis.
One of Taiwan's allies in the Caribbean, the Saint Lucia Embassy in Taiwan was established in October 2015.
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