Taipei, Aug. 15 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian received visiting Panamanian First Vice President Arturo Vallarino Sunday at the Presidential Office and extended him a warm welcome.
During the meeting, Chen expressed his appreciation for Vallarino's visit to Taiwan and his participation in the 2004 Democratic Pacific Assembly held in Taipei Aug. 13-15.
Chen also asked Vallarino to convey his regards to his Panamanian counterpart Mireya Moscoso.
Chen told his guest that he greatly appreciated Moscoso's attendance at the inauguration ceremony of his second term in May and her remarks made on the occasion on behalf of all foreign guests in congratulation of his re-election.
Chen said that he is pleased to meet with Moscoso again in late this month when he will visit Panama to attend President-elect Martin Torrijos' inauguration ceremony slated for Sept. 1.
The president also expressed his hope that the Taiwan-Panama relations will be further strengthened on the basis of the existing friendship.
He said that Taiwan and Panama have long maintained cordial relations, specially after the two nations signed the free trade agreement in 2003.
The Taiwan-Panama trade increased by 164 percent to US$143 million in the first half of this year, up more than US$10 million over the amount of whole last year, thanks to the accord that was placed into effect at the beginning of this year, Chen noted.
Chen also affirmed that he greatly appreciates the friendship existing between the two countries, citing his repeated visits to the Central American ally.
Panama was the unique country where he visited two times during his first four-year term and will be the first country that he will visit in his second term since May 20 of this year, he explained.