Taipei, Aug. 12 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Tuesday that the Republic of China has prepared well for the visit of the heads of state of the ROC's Latin American diplomatic allies for the summit meeting in Taipei next week.
The president made the remarks when he met with Carlos Larios Ochaita, president of the Judicial System and the Supreme Court of Justice of the Republic of Guatemala.
President Chen noted that Larios, who had served as a lawyer, a professor and a grand justice before his present job, has rich experience in politics. Chen expressed the hope that his first visit to the ROC will help promote bilateral cooperation in judicial matters between the two countries.
As the ROC's first president who studied law, Chen said, he shares a similar background with his visitor. He added that when Guatemalan president-elect Portillo Cabrera Alfonso Antonio was inaugurated in January 2000, it was Judicial Yuan President Weng Yueh-sheng who represented him to attend the inauguration ceremony.
Chen noted that Weng happened to be his mentor when he was studying law at National Taiwan University, adding that Weng also witnessed his swearing-in ceremony when he was inaugurated as ROC president in May 20, 2000.
President Chen also expressed his appreciation for Guatemala's steadfast support for the ROC over the years, especially for the ROC's bid to join the United Nations and other international organizations.