Taipei, Sept. 9 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian conferred a medal Tuesday on visiting Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves in recognition of his contributions to better relations between the two countries.
Chen bestowed the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon on Gonsalves in a ceremony held at the Presidential Office.
On hand at the ceremony were also Gonsalves' wife Eloise; Selmon Walters, minister of social development, cooperatives, the family, gender affairs and ecclesiastical affairs of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Republic of China Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien and Secretary-General to the President Chiou I-jen.
Chen thanked his guest for the support Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has extended to the ROC in the international arena, particularly under the leadership of Gonsalves. He said he believes that ties will be further strengthened.
In response, Gonsalves said that the medal represents not only a great honor for him but also the friendship between the two countries.
The ROC-Saint Vincent and the Grenadines relations have been enhanced since the two countries established diplomatic ties 22 years ago because they share common values of democracy, peace and justice.
The diplomatic relations have been further strengthened in recent years with the increase of exchanges of personal visits, Gonsalves said, adding that both Foreign Minister Chien and former Premier Chang Chun-hsiung had visited the eastern Caribbean nation. He invited Chen to visit his country at an opportune moment.