On November 29th, President Chen Shui-bian met with Bala Garba-Jahumpa, Gambia's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and National Assembly Matters, expressing wholehearted welcome for his first trip to Taiwan.
President Chen praised Garba-Jahumpa as an outstanding, experienced diplomat, who held several high positions such as Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Minister of Trade, Industry and Employment, and Secretary of State for Works, Construction and Infrastructure. He also served in The Gambia Embassy in the U.S. and was appointed as Acting High Commissioner to the U.K. and Ambassador to Cuba.
In the reception, President Chen took the opportunity to congratulate Gambia President Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh on hosting the most successful African Union (AU) Summit since its establishment. The success of the summit has contributed greatly to peace and stability in West Africa and, at the same time, highlighted President Jammeh's international influence as well as the efficiency of his administration. He also congratulated President Jammeh on his re-election this past September, garnering a high 67.33% of the vote.
President Chen said he was pleased with the results the two countries have achieved over the years in facilitating bilateral cooperation in various areas and thanked the Gambia government for speaking out for Taiwan in the WHA and in the UN sessions. He also invited President Jammeh to attend Taiwan's first summit with its African allies next year and to formally visit Taiwan again.
In response, Secretary Bala Garba-Jahumpa thanked President Chen for receiving him and conveyed President Jammeh's regard, reassuring that The Gambia will always be Taiwan's friend.