Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien (
Chien unexpectedly announced his trip last night on the sidelines of the Africa Day Celebration hosted by Taipei-based African diplomats.
Chien said he will leave for Europe on Wednesday, but declined to give any further details on his journey.
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
A core member of the foreign and overseas Chinese affairs committee at the legislature said the minister would "visit countries that have neither diplomatic ties with Taiwan nor any representative offices from Taipei."
But a foreign ministry official remained wishy-washy on Chien's trip, saying the lawmaker's information "was not exactly correct."
The official, however, said the minister would not host the regional meeting of Taipei's Europe-based diplomats or attend any academic seminars during his trip.
With regards to President Chen Shui-bian's (
Diplomats from Senegal and Malawi yesterday confirmed that their countries would be among Chen's destinations.
Yesterday's Africa Day celebrations, held at the Formosa Regent featured traditional African dances and music.
The event is held annually in commemoration of the founding of the Organization of the African Unity (OAU).
Malawi Ambassador Eunice Kazembe, who is chairwoman of the African Group in Taiwan, highlighted the latest African initiatives aimed at boosting African development in her speech at the ceremony.
"The march is on for the economic rejuvenation of Africa. The time has come for Africa to be fully integrated into the global economic system and to play its rightful role in the economic landscape of the world," Kazembe said.
In light of the birth of the African Union, which is to supersede the OAU which was established in 1963, Kazembe said African nations are determined to make the new initiatives a success.
In July, the African Union will hold its inaugural summit of heads of state in Johannesburg, South Africa, replacing the OAU as the new regional mechanism that is to improve the economic, political and social development of the African people.
In his address Chien assured African diplomats of Taiwan's willingness to contribute to the new African initiatives.
"The road is remote and rough indeed, but I can assure you that you won't be alone in your journey because Taiwan will always be by your side," Chien said.
Chien also said the New Partnership for African Development, another initiative focusing on boosting African economic growth "will bring to reality a new African Renaissance."
"As a friend, Taiwan will play her appropriate role to help reach that goal," Chien said.
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