President Chen Shui-bian on the morning of December 27 spoke on the telephone with Marcus Stephen, the new President of the Republic of Nauru, and Derek Sikua, the new Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands. Both of the Pacific island nations are diplomatic allies of the ROC (Taiwan). President Chen, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), congratulated the two new leaders on taking office and invited both of them to make formal visits to Taiwan at their earliest convenience.
President Chen pledged that cooperative projects presently being carried out with those nations will continue to be implemented on the existing foundation of friendship enjoyed by all three countries. The president also said he hopes that President Stephen and Prime Minister Sikua will follow the path of their predecessors and speak on behalf of Taiwan in the international arena and support Taiwan's participation in the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations. The president particularly mentioned the importance of the Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit, noting that the summit has enabled Taiwan to make a contribution to the development of the region and to issues of common concerns in that part of the world. President Chen expressed his hope that President Stephen and Prime Minister Sikua will continue to support the summit. Both of the new leaders expressed their gratitude to President Chen for his invitation to them to visit Taiwan. In addition to reiterating support for Taiwan and expressing their confidence in their respective alliances with Taiwan, the two new leaders said they will continue to lend assistance in Taiwan's effort to join the UN and take part in other international bodies.
President Stephen received over half the votes of Nauru's parliamentarians on December 18 to become the new president of that nation. The transfer of power was carried out smoothly and in a very short period of time. President Chen said it is evident that Nauru enjoys a mature level of democratic development. He also expressed his best wishes to Nauru and his hope that the country will continue to engage in reform and improve the wellbeing for its people, enabling the nation to grow and prosper.
President Stephen said he hopes to be able to make a state visit to Taiwan in the future, expressing his confidence that face-to-face discussions will help to boost the friendship between the two countries. He also thanked the Taiwan government for its support, and especially noted that President Chen took the initiative to call him. President Stephen said this symbolizes the strong ties between the two countries and the importance that President Chen places on relations with Nauru. Lastly, President Stephen said he expects the friendship between the two countries to become even stronger in the future.
President Chen congratulated Prime Minister Sikua on taking office over the telephone, adding that the prime minister is highly popular among the people of the Solomon Islands for the work and contributions he has made in an effort to improve his nation.
Prime Minister Sikua said that the Solomon Islands would be very willing to hold the Fourth Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit in 2009. He also pledged to President Chen that his nation's Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement Government has set forth the direction of his nation's foreign affairs policies, and it is committed to strengthening the bilateral alliance between Taiwan and the Solomon Islands. Prime Minister Sikua believes the efforts of Taiwan should be recognized by the international community. He said he is willing to help Taiwan to enter the UN, the World Health Organization and other international organizations.