Taipei, April 7 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian received Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Francisco Guerrero Prats Wednesday, and expressed his gratitude to the Caribbean country for its firm support of Taiwan in various fields.
Chen said that he will call his Dominican Republic counterpart, Rafael Hipolito Mejia, later the same day to thank Mejia for sending a congratulatory message to him on his re-election on March 20.
Furthermore, Chen added, Mejia also expressed his concern over the election eve assassination attempt on Chen and Vice President Annette Lu that left both with minor injuries.
The Dominican Republic also has rendered its support to Taiwan's bid to join world organizations, including the United Nations and the World Health Organization, Chen noted, citing last September, when the Dominican Republic's representative voiced support for Taiwan's U.N. bid in the organization's General Assembly.
Chen also said that on March 16, both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies of the Dominican Republic passed resolutions in support of Taiwan's first nationwide referendum, which was conducted on March 20 alongside the presidential election.
Chen wished Mejia success on his re-election bid. The Dominican Republic will hold its presidential election on May 16.