On April 27, President Chen Shui-bian met with Burkina Faso Prime Minister Paramanga Ernest Yonli, who will personally attend the 6th Meeting of the Mixed Commission of Cooperation between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Burkina Faso in Taipei later this year.
This meeting will review the cooperative programs already implemented by the two countries and will lay a solid foundation for stronger cooperation as Taiwan and Burkina Faso focus on jointly establishing vocational training institutes and a national medical center in Burkina Faso in the next two and a half years.
According to the president, Taiwan will send a delegation to Burkina Faso next month to conduct field research; ultimately, the group's evaluation will assist the African country in developing its national medical center.
The president also expressed his concern over the recent cases of avian flu discovered in Burkina Faso. He has sent medical experts from Taiwan to assist the country in containing the infections and said that he would like to share Taiwan's experiences in combating the avian flu with his African friends.
Lastly, President Chen thanked Burkina Faso for supporting Taiwan's bid to join the United Nations and the World Health Organization and said that he is looking forward to his meeting with Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaoré in Taiwan this November.
Prime Minister Yonli's was accompanied by Taiwan's Vice Foreign Minister Chang Siao-yueh during his visit to the Office of the President.