In an interview with Sputnik, Paraguay’s incoming Foreign Minister, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, expressed readiness to foster diplomatic ties with China without any preconditions while maintaining the country’s existing relationship with Taiwan.
Ramírez Lezcano, who previously served as the foreign minister from 2006 to 2008, said that the next government would be open to dialogue and establishing diplomatic, consular, and trade relations with China.
He noted that China is a significant global market and a major recipient of Mercosur’s agri-food raw materials.
Paraguay seeks to rectify the trade imbalance with China, as it imported around $5 billion worth of goods last year, a figure that exceeded US$3 billion in the first quarter of this year.
Furthermore, the future government, led by President-elect Santiago Peña, is keen on diversifying markets and adding value to raw materials, industrial products, and services.
Paraguay is also open to a potential free trade agreement between Mercosur and China.
On the issue of Ukraine, Ramírez Lezcano affirmed Paraguay’s support for Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s peace proposal.
He reiterated the importance of dialogue and peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian crisis.
With information from Sputnik
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