President Chen Shui-bian on the evening of June 27 met with President and Madame Kessai Note of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. President Chen, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), expressed a cordial welcome and appreciation to President Note and his wife.
President Chen said that this marks the sixth visit to Taiwan during his presidency by the Marshall Islands' head of state. He said this indicates that the government and people of the Marshall Islands value the alliance between the two countries and think highly of Taiwan. President Chen noted that the Marshall Islands will hold a congressional election in October of this year, and he expressed his hopes that President Note will be elected to another term in office.
President Chen also said he has high expectations for the second Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit Meeting that will be held in the Marshall Islands capital of Majuro in the middle of October. He praised President Note for leading a highly efficient government administration and for placing such high emphasis on the summit. President Chen said that plans for the summit are progressing smoothly. He said he is confident that, as the host nation, the Marshall Islands will successfully stage this summit that will be attended by the leaders of many nations.
President Chen also expressed his appreciation to the government of the Marshall Islands for the assistance it has provided in Taiwan's efforts to participate in international organizations. He said that even though the Marshall Islands' representative stationed in Geneva failed to side with Taiwan for various reasons at the World Health Assembly, the Marshall Islands foreign minister subsequently provided a detailed explanation and an apology to the ROC (Taiwan) government. The president said he understands the situation and is confident that in the future, the Marshall Islands will be a staunch supporter of Taiwan's efforts to join the WHO and the United Nations. President Chen added that President Note's decision to make another visit to Taiwan attests to the support for Taiwan by the Marshall Islands. He added that he looks forward to President Note taking time out of his busy schedule in September to speak before the General Assembly of the UN and advocate Taiwan's application to enter the UN under the name "Taiwan."