President Chen Shui-bian will embark on his visit to the Republic of Palau on September 3 to attend "The First Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit," Deputy Secretary-General to the President Liu Shyh-fang said.
After the summit meeting, to take place on September 4, President Chen will pay an official visit to the Republic of Nauru, which is his first to the country since he took the presidency in 2000. He will return to Taiwan on September 6.
According to Liu, the other participating country leaders include Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr., Nauru President Ludwig Scotty, Marshall Islands President Kessai Note, Tuvalu Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Massaneh Sogavare, and Kiribati President Anote Tong.
Entitled "Strengthening Oceanic Democratic Alliances and Realizing Comprehensive Partnerships," the summit will deal with issues like medicine and health, agricultural and fishery cooperation, law enforcement cooperation, digital government, alternative energy, economic and trade partnership, tourism, and exchange among oceanic cultures, said Liu.
Through the meeting, Taiwan looks forward to strengthening bilateral and multilateral partnerships with its South Pacific allies, said Liu.
Liu made the announcement in a press conference held in the Office of the President on August 25. Taiwan's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Chang Siao-yue and Palau Chargé d'affaires to Taiwan Lydia Ngirablosch were also present in the conference.