Taipei, Aug. 11 (CNA) Visiting Salvadoran President Antonia Saca reaffirmed his country's support Wednesday for Taiwan's bid to join the United Nations and other major international organizations.
Saca, who arrived in Taipei Tuesday for a six-day state visit, made the remarks at a welcoming ceremony presided over by President Chen Shui-bian.
The Salvadoran head of state was accorded full military honors complete with a 21-gun salute in the welcoming ceremony held at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall complex in downtown Taipei.
Addressing the ceremony, Chen said the Republic of China and El Salvador have traditionally maintained cordial relations and close cooperation in economic, cultural and technological development.
Chen said he believes Saca's visit will help boost mutual understanding and further cement bilateral diplomatic ties.
This is Saca's first visit to Taiwan since the former sportscaster and media magnate assumed the Salvadoran presidency in June.
Chen said he will take advantage of Saca's visit to exchange views on the world situation and matters of mutual concern.
For his part, Saca described his visit as a "journey of study, " saying he wants to learn from Taiwan's successful economic development during his stay.
Saca said Taiwan has not only scored outstanding achievements in the agricultural and industrial fields but has also set a model for democratic reform.
Despite the geographic distance separating them, Saca went on, Taiwan and El Salvador have shared values in promoting liberal democracy. This shared value has been the cornerstone for ROC-Salvadoran relations, he added.
Saca further said that El Salvador will continue to support Taiwan's campaign to join the United Nations and other major world organizations. "We have always advocated the right of Taiwan to be represented at the United Nations and other multilateral organizations, and this shows the close cooperation that exists between our countries, " Saca said.
He also expressed gratitude for all the assistance Taiwan has extended to El Salvador over the years, including its generous aid offered after two earthquakes in 2001.
Later in the day, Chen and Saca held their first official talks at the Presidential Office.
In addition to exchanging views on the general world situation and regional developments, they also discussed measures to further expand bilateral cultural exchanges and economic cooperation.
As Wednesday marks the 15th wedding anniversary of Saca and his wife, Chen congratulated the Salvadoran first couple.
Chen will host a state banquet at the Taipei county government building in honor of Saca and his wife as well as the other members of his entourage. During the dinner, Chen will present wedding anniversary gifts to the Salvadoran first couple.
Meanwhile, first lady Wu Shu-chen met with her Salvadoran counterpart Wednesday for wide-ranging talks. This was the first time that Wu has held a formal meeting with the first lady of a foreign country by herself. In the past, Wu has only met with visiting foreign first couples together with Chen.
The Presidential Office said this kind of meeting will facilitate development of friendships between the first lady and her foreign counterparts and thus help cement bilateral diplomatic ties.
Saca is accompanied by a delegation of senior Salvadoran officials and business executives. During his stay, he will visit major Taiwan economic establishments and tourist attractions, including science-based industrial parks. He will also deliver a speech at the 2004 Democratic Pacific Assembly slated for Aug. 13-15.