President Chen Shui-bian on July 2 met with the leaders of delegations who are in Taiwan to attend the 22nd Forum of Speakers of the Legislative Bodies of the Central American and Caribbean Basin (FOPREL). President Chen, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), expressed a warm welcome and gratitude to the visitors.
According to the president, as a result of the efforts made by Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng, the 11th Forum of the FOPREL was held in Taipei in November 2000, in which the delegates invited him to be an honorary member. In the Forum, a resolution was passed to bestow a peace prize to the Taiwan people, which Legislative Yuan President Wang accepted on their behalf. Seven years later, the event is again being held in Taipei. The president said that Taiwan is not only an observer to the Forum, but also has held the annual conference of the organization twice during his presidency. He said this represents the importance that parliamentary leaders in Central America place on Taiwan.
President Chen furthermore said that the parliamentary speakers and deputy speakers from each of the attending countries have long made many contributions to democratic development, regional integration, and interaction and cooperation between the legislatures of these countries. He said these individuals are also faithful friends to Taiwan. In addition to valuing the diplomatic relationships maintained with Taiwan, they have also spared no effort in supporting Taiwan's efforts to enter the United Nations and the World Health Organization. The president expressed his highest respects and appreciation to these parliamentary leaders on behalf of the people and government of the ROC (Taiwan).
The president said the parliamentary leaders attending the forum have taken the initiative to help pass resolutions in their respective lawmaking bodies that are friendly to Taiwan. They have also made contributions in encouraging their governments to maintain formal ties with Taiwan, he said. President Chen also said that the holding of this gathering in Taiwan this time bears historical significance as it comes shortly after the severance of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Costa Rica. The president said this signifies that the parliamentary leaders are doing everything they can to maintain relations with Taiwan and for this he is full of gratitude.
President Chen also noted that next month the Sixth Summit of the Heads of States and Governments of the ROC (Taiwan), Central America and the Dominican Republic will be held in Honduras and at that time he will meet again with the leaders of those nations.
The leaders of the delegations attending the 22nd Forum of the FOPREL include Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Dominican Republic Julio Cesar Valentin, President of the Senate of Belize Phillip Zuniga, President of the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador Ruben Orellana, President of the Congress of Guatemala Ruben Dario Morales Veliz, President of the National Congress of Honduras Roberto Micheletti Bain, President of the National Assembly of Nicaragua Santos Rene Nunez Tellez, and First Congress Deputy Speaker of Panama Susana Richa de Torrijos.