President Chen Shui-bian on July 25 met with the visiting delegation of Sao Tome and Principe led by Prime Minister Tome Soares da Vera Cruz and his wife,exchanging opinions with them on relations between the two countries and bilateral cooperation projects.
President Chen said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the two nations' diplomatic relations since May 6, 1997, adding that relations between the two are stable and a range of cooperative projects are underway. The president also noted that a bilateral agreement on cooperative projects is inked and carried out every three years. This year marks the beginning of the fourth phase, and the length of this pact has been extended to five years. He expects that the current foundation will enhance the cooperation relationship between the two countries.
President Chen expressed his congratulations to Sao Tome and Principe President Fradique Bandeira Melo de Menezes for winning parliamentary elections last year and beginning another term in office in July this year. The First Taiwan-Africa Allies Summit will be held in Taipei in September. Taiwan Foreign Minister James Huang in the middle of this month already extended an invitation on behalf of President Chen to President Menezes to attend the event. President Menezes has accepted the invitation, and President Chen said he is looking forward to President Menezes' participation in the summit.
President Chen again expressed his appreciation to the government and people of Sao Tome and Principe for supporting Taiwan in its efforts to join international organizations. He said President Menezes, Prime Minister Vera Cruz, Foreign Minister Carlos Gustavo dos Anjos and Health Minister Arlindo Vicente de Assunção Carvalho all provided strong support for Taiwan's bids to enter the World Health Organization and the United Nations.
Prime Minister Vera Cruz said that the livelihood of the people of Sao Tome and Principe has improved considerably thanks to Taiwan's aid. He particularly expressed his gratitude in light of the success of a malaria eradication project, which has not only improved the lives of the people of his country, but also has helped bolster the development of the tourism industry.
Prime Minister and Mrs. Vera Cruz, Foreign Minister Anjos, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Manuel de Deus Lima, and Member of Parliament Sebastião Pinheiro were accompanied to the Presidential Office in the afternoon by Sao Tome and Principe Ambassador to the ROC (Taiwan) Ladislau D'Almeida and ROC (Taiwan) Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Chang Siao-yue. Also in attendance was Deputy Secretary-General to the President Chen Chi-mai.