President Chen Shui-bian on September 11 met Tuvalu Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia and his wife at the Presidential Building. The president, on behalf of the government and 23 million residents of the ROC (Taiwan), expressed a warm welcome to the guests after making the lengthy journey to Taiwan.
President Chen said that Prime Minister Ielemia has come to Taiwan this time to participate in the opening ceremonies of the 2007 IWAS World Wheelchair and Amputee Games. He said the international competition will be made all the more meaningful due to Prime Minister Ielemia's presence.
The president also said that Prime Minister Ielemia in August of last year obtained the highest number of votes in parliamentary elections and was then selected to become prime minister and form a new government. The president congratulated the prime minister on his outstanding governance exhibited during his tenure so far and his high degree of popularity among the Tuvalu public.
In discussing substantive cooperative relations between the two countries, the president said that Taiwan is assisting Tuvalu in repairing cargo vessels and jointly building fishing vessels. In addition, Taiwan International Health Action has provided free medical clinics in Tuvalu and Taiwan's Yang Ming Marine has employed shipmen from Tuvalu. All of these cooperation projects have shown good results, the president said, adding that he expects even more achievements to be seen in the future based on the existing cooperative foundation between the two countries.
The president said that the past two or three months have been a busy period for Taiwan with regards to diplomatic activities. He pointed out that the Sixth Summit of the Heads of States and Governments of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Central America and the Dominican Republic was held last month, while the First Taiwan-African Heads of State Summit was held during the past few days. In addition, next month the Second Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit will be held in the Marshall Islands capital of Majuro. All of these activities display Taiwan's efforts in participating in international affairs. In September last year, the First Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit was held in Palau and Prime Minister Ielemia's presence meant that all of Taiwan's diplomatic allies in the region attended. The president said that Prime Minister Ielemia was well versed in the topics tabled at the meeting and he made deep and meaningful statements during discussions, creating quite an impression on the participants. President Chen said he hopes Prime Minister Ielemia in October will once again attend the summit and further participate in discussions on the cooperation-related topics.
Prime Minister Ielemia said relations between the two countries have risen to a new level thanks to the outstanding leadership of President Chen. He said he hopes that the two countries will continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation and that exchanges and interaction will solidify the foundation of friendship between the two. He also guaranteed that the government and people of Tuvalu will continue to work towards strengthening bilateral ties and will play an active role in helping Taiwan participate in international organizations.
Prime Minister Ielemia and Mrs. Ielemia were accompanied to the Presidential Building by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Ching-shan Hou. Also in attendance was Deputy Secretary-General to the President Chen Chi-mai.