President Chen Shui-bian on September 7 met with His Excellency Fradique Bandeira Melo de Menezes, President of the Democratic Republic Sao Tome and Principe at the Presidential Building. President Chen, on behalf of the government and 23 million people of the ROC (Taiwan), expressed a warm welcome to President Menezes.
President Chen said President Menezes first visited Taiwan in December 2001, and since then has visited Taiwan in January 2004, May 2004, November 2005 and October 2006. This time is the sixth visit to Taiwan by President Menezes, marking the close ties and friendship between the two countries.
President Chen said that in addition to attending the First Taiwan-African Heads of State Summit, President Menezes on this trip also will attend the Taiwan-Africa Progressive Partnership Forum as well as the 2007 IWAS World Wheelchair and Amputee Games. The idea of a Taiwan-Africa leadership summit was first proposed by President Menezes two years ago. After two years of hard work, this event has finally been realized, making this both an exciting and extremely important moment. President Chen said he hopes the leadership summit will enable the partnership relationship between the two countries to become even stronger.
President Chen also expressed his appreciation to President Menezes and the people of Sao Tome and Principe for their staunch support for Taiwan in its bid to enter the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN). He said Sao Tome and Principe has spared no effort in helping Taiwan become a member of the international community. The president especially pointed out that President Menezes and the people of his nation provided resolute support this year in Taiwan's applications to enter the WHO and the UN under the name "Taiwan." The people of Taiwan are touched by the efforts made by Sao Tome and Principe, he said. He added that he hopes President Menezes will continue to speak on behalf of Taiwan when he attends the UN General Assembly in New York City in late September.
President Menezes said he has the greatest admiration for Taiwan for adhering to the universal values of democracy, freedom and peace. He also pledged to continue to play an active role in helping Taiwan to participate in international organizations.
President Menezes was accompanied to the Presidential Building in the afternoon by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Tzu-pao. Also in attendance was Secretary-General to the President Yeh Chu-lan.