President Chen Shui-bian met with Honduran Vice President Ernesto Santos Ordonez and members of his visiting group on December 12th. He expressed sincere welcome to the delegation, who were here to attend the inaugural conference of the Pacific Congressional Caucus under the Democratic Pacific Union and the International Symposium on Democracy and Congress.
The President said he was glad that Taiwan can help Honduras equip their schools with computer facilities and build a vocational training center, adding that he cherished the decades-long friendship between the two countries and hoped that their close cooperation could continue. The President also mentioned that the Free Trade Agreement between the two sides will soon come into force after negotiations and the approval of their parliaments.
President Chen recalled vividly the pleasant meeting with Honduran President Manuel Zelaya Rosales this past October when he was invited to join Taiwan's National Day celebrations. The president also took the opportunity to thank President Zelaya and the government and people of Honduras for their staunch support for Taiwan.
In response, Vice President Santos thanked President Chen for meeting with him despite his tight schedule. He said he was glad to have the opportunity to meet and exchanges views with Vice President Lu, President Wang Jin-Pyng of the Legislative Yuan and Taiwan's entrepreneurs during this trip, which he believes will contribute to the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in the future. He also expressed gratitude to Taiwan for the assistance rendered to his country.