Taiwan, after experiencing a transfer of power in May, will continue to play the role of a useful ally in Central America to bolster ties with that part of the world, President Chen Shui-bian (
Taiwan is willing to be a useful friend in the big family of Central American countries, joining hands with its allies there in pursuit of the welfare and interests of the people, Chen said.
Addressing the opening of the Central American Parliament Leaders Forum which began yesterday at the Grand Hyatt Taipei, Chen said that the convening of the forum signals the uniting of the Central American people and that Taiwan's participation in the forum underlines Taiwan's firm friendship toward Central America and highlights the two sides' willingness to further cement bilateral cooperation.
Chen said that pushed by an urgent need for independent development, Taiwan has for years strived to seek economic globalization and political democratization. While Taiwan has achieved a peaceful power transition domestically, the nation is gradually becoming integrated into the global village with the strong support of the international community, including Taiwan's Central American allies, he added.
The 2000 Forum of Legislature Presidents of Central America, the 11th of its kind and the first to be held in Taiwan, is being attended by Central American parliamentary heavyweights aiming at cementing parliamentary diplomacy and friendship between Taiwan and Central America.
The forum, founded in 1995, meets every six months and is composed of the presidents or legislators of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Belize.
In addition to President Chen Shui-bian, Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), a permanent observer of the forum, also delivered a speech to the opening ceremony of the gathering.
The delegates of the Central American countries are scheduled to call on Chen tomorrow to invite him to become an honorary member of the forum.
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