President Chen Shui-bian met Foreign Minister John Patteson Oti and Congressmen Steve William Abana and Martin Sopage of the Solomon Islands on July 31 at the Office of the President. Besides extending his warmest welcome, the president thanked them for their long-time support for Taiwan.
The friendship between the two countries is stable and firm, said the president. When an ethnic conflict broke out in the Solomon Islands in 2000, none of Taiwan's diplomats withdrew from Honiara, the capital, he added.
Based on the two countries' ongoing cooperation in health care, poverty eradication, and bridging of the digital gap, the president wished better prospects in future cooperation and the volunteer work protocol which will be signed soon.
The president also asked his guests to bring his regards to Governor-General Nathaniel R. Waena and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare of the Solomon Islands.
Taiwan and the Solomon Islands built up diplomatic relations in 1983. In 2000, the Solomon Islands set up its embassy in Taiwan with the assistance of Foreign Minister Oti, who has visited Taiwan seven times.
The guests' visit to the Office of the President was accompanied by Taiwan's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco L.Y. Hwang and Taiwan's Ambassador to the Solomon Islands George Chan. Deputy Secretary-General to the President Liu Shyh-fang was also present in the meeting.