President Lee Teng-hui this afternoon received a group of Panamanian lawmakers headed by the Hon. Carlos Agustin Afu Decerega, second deputy speaker of Panama's Legislative Assembly, and extended his warm welcome to them.
During the meeting, President Lee expressed his hope of further strengthening ROC-Panama relations, adding that the ROC is willing to share her developmental experience with Panama to assist in the latter's national development.
President Lee told his guests that he was delighted to receive Panamanian President Ernesto Perez Balladares' invitation to the World Congress on the Panama Canal scheduled for the upcoming September.
The President also said that he is studying information related to the key waterway in Central America, hoping to be able to offer useful advice on the upgrade of its administration and management.
For their part, the Panamanian guests said that they have great expectation for President Lee's upcoming visit to their country. Meanwhile, they expressed appreciation to the ROC for her assistance to Panama over the past decades.
Other members of the visiting Panamanian delegation include Mrs. Afu, five lawmekers--the Hon. Oyden Ortega Duran, the Hon. Ruben Arosemena Valdes, the Hon. Marco Ameglio, the Hon. Carlos Smith, and the Hon. Jose Luis Varela--and their wives.
Accompanied by ROC Vice Foreign Minister Chen Chien-jen and Panamanian Ambassador Carlos Alberto Mendoza, the guests came to the Office of the President for the meeting. Also present were Dr. Ding Mou-shih, secretary-general of the ROC National Security Council, and Mr. Stephen S.F. Chen, deputy secretary-general to the President.