President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said yesterday the government will assist Sao Tome and Principe in setting up a special task force in July to eliminate malaria in the African state.
Chen announced the plan while meeting with Sao Tome and Principe Prime Minister Maria das Neves, who arrived in Taipei on Monday for a five-day visit.
During his state visit to Sao Tome and Principe last year, Chen promised to help the country combat malaria, one of its most prevalent diseases.
"This plan has proceeded smoothly and we have decided to send experts to Sao Tome and Principe in July to assist in operating a special task force to fight against malaria," he said.
He lauded Neves for her wisdom in helping resolve a political crisis in her country earlier this year.
Neves and the president of Sao Tome and Principe's Supreme Court joined forces to help resolve a dispute between the country's president and the parliament in January.
Chen said he is glad that all of the Taiwan-Sao Tome and Principe cooperative projects have turned out to be successful since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1997.
A third three-year cooperative development project is scheduled to be launched this July, Chen said, adding he hopes the project will be well-planned to help accelerate Sao Tome and Principe's development.
Neves is accompanied on her visit by Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Arzemiro dos Prazeres and other high-ranking officials. She will meet with Premier Yu Shyi-kun, Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien (
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