Paraguay will soon grant visa-waiver status to Republic of China passport holders, a visiting high-ranking Paraguayan official said in Taipei Tuesday. Cesar Aquino, executive secretary of the National Anti-Drug Secretariat of Paraguay, disclosed the news during a meeting with President Ma Ying-jeou, according to a statement released by the Presidential Office. Aquino said that right before his departure for Taiwan, President Fernando Lugo told him that an order would soon be signed to allow Taiwanese citizens to travel to Paraguay visa free. Lugo also indicated his intention to visit Taiwan upon receiving a formal invitation, Aquino told Ma. On his part, Ma said he welcomed this friendly decision by Paraguay on behalf of the ROC government and its people. Ma noted that the European Union recently also included Taiwan in its visa waiver program, with the policy expected to officially become effective in mid- January. The president expressed confidence that the number of countries that Taiwanese citizens will be able to visit without needing a visa will exceed 100 by 2011. 