Taipei, Aug. 1 (CNA) Taiwan and Belize, one of Taiwan's allies in Central America, signed an agreement on cooperation in indigenous affairs Tuesday in the hope of cultivating bilateral exchanges and cooperation.
The agreement was signed by Walis Perin, Minister of Taiwan's Council of Indigenous Peoples, and Sylvia Flores, Minister of the Belize Ministry of Human Development, on Taiwan's Indigenous Day.
It is Taiwan's third such cooperation agreement with foreign countries, following the signing of similar agreements with Canada and New Zealand in 1998 and 2004, respectively.
"Indigenous affairs has gradually become a focal point of the international community and we are glad to have an opportunity to work with Belize, a country that places importance on human rights and respects different races, " said Perin.
"We must respect the original people of our countries, " Flores said on the importance of indigenous people. She also said she was deeply moved by the culture and genuine welcome of Taiwan's indigenous people after an earlier visit to a couple of aboriginal villages.