President Chen Shui-bian met with Tuvalu Premier and Mrs. Apisai Ielemia on December 12th. In the meeting, the president expressed his welcome and thanks to his guests for attending the Democratic Pacific Union activities.
The president said it is more than touching that Premier Ielemia made time out of his busy schedule to participate in the First Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit in Palau on September 4 this year, only two weeks after he was elected to the Tuvalu Parliament and made Premier. President Chen also thanked the Premier and his government for speaking out for Taiwan's bid to join the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum.
The president further pointed out that Taiwan and Tuvalu have enjoyed good cooperation in agricultural and medical areas. For example, Taiwan donated helicopters and sent physicians to conduct free medical examinations in Tuvalu, and is planning to send doctors to that country on a long-term basis. The president said that Taiwan is currently offering scholarships to 10 Tuvalu students to study in Taiwan, and that he hoped the number would increase in the future.
In addition, the president promised his guests to assist in building fishing boats and repairing transport ships for Tuvalu and to facilitate the employment of Tuvalu fishermen by Taiwan's Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp.
Premier and Mrs. Ielemia were accompanied to meet the President by Chang Siao-yue, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mark Chen, Secretary-General to the President, was also at the meeting.