On April 19, President Chen Shui-bian met with Sir Louis Straker, deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and his wife to welcome their third visit to Taiwan.
Referring to reference reports for constitutional amendments provided by an ad hoc consultative committee under the congress in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, President Chen spoke highly of the country's constitutional reform process and touted it as an example for Taiwan. The president also took particular notice of St. Vincent and the Grenadines' "from bottom to top" approach to reform.
Deputy Prime Minister Straker has been a stronger supporter of Taiwan. He has, on numerous occasions, spoken up for Taiwan in the United Nations General Assembly, urged UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to have China remove its missiles aimed at Taiwan, advocated for Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization and backed President Chen's decision to cease the function of the National Unification Council and to cease the application of the National Unification Guidelines. President Chen extended his deepest gratitude to the deputy prime minister for all his efforts.
President Chen also asked Sir Straker to give Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves his warmest regards and to invite the prime minister to visit Taiwan soon.
Sir Straker and his wife were accompanied by Taiwan's Vice Foreign Minister Francisco L.Y. Hwang.