Taipei, Nov. 12 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Friday he should be able to arrange a state visit to the West Pacific island nation of Palau in the first half of next year.
Chen made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Palau President Tommy Remengesau and former Palau President Kuniwo Nakamura.
The president told his guests that he is busy at present with national affairs and with stumping for his Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP's) candidates in the Dec. 11 legislative elections. "After the elections, I think I will have a good opportunity to arrange a state visit to Palau in the first half of 2005," Chen said, adding that if possible, he hopes his planned visit can be timed to allow him to attend the inauguration of a Taiwan-invested tourist hotel under construction in Palau. The hotel is scheduled for completion in May or June next year.
Noting that Taiwan tourists account for nearly half of the annual tourist arrivals in Palau, Chen said Taiwan business groups have already built several tourist hotels in the scenic Pacific island nation. "I believe that the completion of the new hotel next year will further boost Taiwan's contribution to Palau's tourism development, " Chen said.
He also took advantage of the meeting to express his gratitude for Palau's consistent support for Taiwan's bid to joint the United Nations and other major international organizations.