Taipei, May 13 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian urged the Norwegian government Thursday to support Taiwan's bid to join the World Health Organization (WHO).
Chen made the appeal while receiving Carl Hagen, chairman of Norway's right-wing Progress Party, who is currently in Taipei on a goodwill visit.
Despite the geographic distance, Chen said, Taiwan and Norway have shared values in pursuing freedom, democracy and progress. Noting that the two countries have traditionally maintained friendly ties, Chen said he is hopeful that bilateral trade and economic cooperation can be further expanded in the future.
Chen told Hagen that he hopes if Norway cannot express explicit support for Taiwan's WHO bid, it should at least refrain from speaking against the bid.
During the meeting, Chen also expressed his admiration for Norway's achievements in sustained economic development, environmental protection and promotion of liberal democracy, human rights and peace.