President Chen Shui-bian on November 1 met with Sao Tome and Principe National Assembly President Francisco da Silva at the Presidential Office. On behalf of the government and 23 million people of the ROC (Taiwan), President Chen thanked National Assembly President da Silva for leading a delegation of leaders from his nation's three main political parties to Taiwan. The two also exchanged opinions on a broad range of issues of mutual concern.
President Chen said that Taiwan and Sao Tome and Principe maintain close exchanges and have a strong and stable friendship. The two nations established formal diplomatic relations slightly over a decade ago in May 1997. The president led a delegation to visit the island nation in July 2002 and said he sensed the warmth of the people of that country and saw the beauty of Sao Tome and Principe, which sits in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. The president said Taiwan has long been known as "Formosa," which means "The Beautiful Island." The natural beauty of Sao Tome and Principe makes it "Africa's Formosa," he said.
President Chen furthermore said in addition to this trip to Taiwan by National Assembly President da Silva, Prime Minister Tome Soares da Vera Cruz led a delegation to Taiwan in July and President Fradique Bandeira Melo de Menezes personally visited Taiwan in September to attend the First Taiwan-African Heads of State Summit and the First Taiwan-Africa Progressive Partnership Forum. President Chen said these visits highlighted the sustained cooperative relationship between Taiwan and its African allies and set a new benchmark in ties between the two countries. The attendance of President Melo de Menezes at the September meetings made them all the more meaningful, President Chen said.
The president also said that President Melo de Menezes is a staunch supporter and friend of Taiwan. He advocated Taiwan's entry into the United Nations (UN) during the general debate of the General Assembly in September. He also filed a motion during the General Assembly and spoke on behalf of justice for Taiwan, taking concrete action to support the strong desire and voice of the Taiwan people to enter the UN. President Chen expressed his admiration and deepest gratitude for President Melo de Menezes's unconditional support for Taiwan. He also said that Sao Tome and Principe's foreign affairs minister and health minister have many times submitted letters or have verbally advocated Taiwan's entry into the World Health Organization. Although Taiwan has failed for 11 years to enter the body, the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan) highly appreciate the assistance provided by Sao Tome and Principe.
The president also said he was pleased to see smooth progress in various exchanges and cooperative programs since the establishment of ties between the two countries. The president said he hopes there will be even more exchanges between the two nations in the future. President Chen added that National Assembly President da Silva on this trip is leading a delegation of parliamentarians from his nation's three major parties. This signifies that nation's support for Taiwan regardless of political affiliation. The president said he hopes the trip to Taiwan by the delegation is a success and that they will see first hand the progress Taiwan has made in its infrastructural projects.