President Chen Shui-bian, on the morning of March 7, welcomed Nauru President Ludwig Derangadage Scotty with military honor, rendering His Excellency a 21-gun salute.
The salutary ceremony took place at the garden square of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Vice President Annette Lu, the ministers, and foreign diplomatic corps to Taiwan, were observing the salutary ceremony. The following is a brief summary of President Chen's welcome remarks delivered at the ceremony.
Your Excellency President Ludwig Derangadage Scotty, I, on behalf of my administration and Taiwan's 23 million citizens, extend to you my sincerest welcome.
Over the past 20 years, Your Excellency President Scotty has served in various government posts, achieved outstanding distinction, and earned your citizen's praise and respect. When being a congressman in your country, you had shown your friendship and support to Taiwan with the firmest determination.
Since your Excellency assumed presidency in October 2004, you have promoted many reforms and constructions, which has won you your citizen's applause and appreciation and paved a solid ground for your country's future development. Owing to this, I am extending to you my congratulations.
In 2005, it was my honor to meet Your Excellency on my visit to the Marshall Islands on May1. We sat next to each other at the state banquet hosted by the Marshall Islands. We had a delightful time as if we had known each other for a long time. Your frankness and hospitality had soon brought us together for a deeper conversation, and had, to our satisfaction, brought you to Taiwan, which restored the diplomatic relations between Taiwan and the Republic of Nauru on May 14, 2005.
Since our rapprochement in May 2005, mutual exchanges and collaboration have been gradually facilitated, and our relations have been advancing. This time, your visit has attested to your cherishment in our friendship, to which, my admiration and respect can only grow.
From today on, Taiwan would like to work hand-in-hand with the Republic of Nauru to solidify freedom and democracy, to fight for the supreme Cause, to have our dreams realized, and to turn to a new page in the two countries' histories.
This time, it is my honor that I will have an opportunity to discuss with Your Excellency international situations, regional issues, and agendas that are of our primal concerns, and to exchange opinions with you on how both countries will cope with challenges lying ahead. Your visit will undoubtedly promote our mutual understanding, and further strengthen the friendship between us.
Lastly, I wish Your Excellency and your delegation a pleasurable stay while you are in Taiwan. May Your Excellency well and sound, and your country prosper.