Print

Mail

wiki links

President ready for Honduran visit

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said yesterday that he will attend a summit with Central American leaders in Honduras next month.

Taiwan has 12 diplomatic allies in Central and South America.

There was no word on what other countries Chen might visit.

Before leaving yesterday on a 13-day visit to Paraguay, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic, however, Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) said Chen would visit countries other than the ones she will visit. Lu will also make a brief stop in Panama.

Calling Lu's trip "important," Chen said he would like to see the people and governments of countries she visits extend a warm welcome to her.

Lu, who left around 11pm, was scheduled to make an overnight stop in San Francisco en route to the Dominican Republic and a four-hour stopover in Los Angeles on the return leg.

The administration has made extra efforts to cement ties with its allies following Costa Rica's decision to switch recognition to China last month. Several key summits and other meetings are scheduled for the next few months.

Chen is scheduled to attend the second annual Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit in October. The Taiwan-Africa Allies Summit is scheduled to take place on Sept. 9. The leaders of five African allies will attend that event.

The second annual convention of the Democratic Pacific Union (DPU) will also be held in Taipei on Aug. 14. The two-year old organization was Lu's brainchild.

Meanwhile, the 22nd conference of the Forum of Legislative Presidents of Central America opens in Taipei today, with 31 legislators from seven Latin American and Caribbean countries participating.

Chen said the forum was especially important following the ending of Taiwan-Costa Rican ties.

The president met forum participants at the Presidential Office.

He told them that although Taiwan only has observer status at the forum, he was glad that the biannual forum has been held twice in Taipei during his term.

Calling the countries attending the forum "Taiwan's loyal allies," Chen thanked them for passing resolutions supporting Taipei's bids to join international groups.

He also urged their governments to maintain strong ties with Taiwan.
This story has been viewed 1058 times.