President Chen Shui-bian met with Former President Francisco Guillermo Flores Perez of El Salvador and his wife at the Presidential Office on the afternoon of January 24. The president extended a warm welcome to the former president on making another visit to Taiwan, this time to participate in the Global Forum for New Democracies. The president also offered a sincere welcome to Mrs. Flores on behalf of his wife Wu Shu-jen.
During talks between the two, President Chen said that this marks the eighth visit to Taiwan by Former President Flores. He first led a delegation to Taiwan in December 2000. In August 2003, he again came to Taiwan to attend the Fourth Summit of the Heads of States and Governments of the Republic of China, Central America and the Dominican Republic. The former El Salvador leader once again came to Taiwan in May 2004 to participate in the inauguration ceremonies when President Chen was sworn in to another term in office. Former President Flores made the lengthy trip to Taiwan that time to offer his congratulations even though he himself had only 11 days left in office. President Chen said he was extremely moved by the friendship exhibited by Former President Flores. In 2005, the former president, acting in his role as chairman of the Instituto America Libre, was invited to Taiwan to participate in the World Forum for Democratization in Asia. In January 2007, he once again traveled to Taiwan to participate in a meeting to prepare for the establishment of the Global Forum for New Democracies and has become one of the founding members of the organization. President Chen said he is both delighted and full of appreciation to Former President Flores for coming to Taiwan this time to participate in the first formal meeting of the Forum.
President Chen furthermore said that of the eight visits made by Former President Flores to Taiwan, five have been during his presidency. This demonstrates the close and friendly ties between the two, and that Former President Flores' mission has not changed despite no longer serving as president of his nation. President Chen noted that he will leave office in May of this year after eight years as president. He said he hopes that the friendship with Former President Flores and Mrs. Flores will continue on and that they all remain in contact.
President Chen noted that he led a delegation to El Salvador in 2001 on a state visit and to attend the Third Summit of the Heads of States and Governments of the Republic of China, Central America and the Dominican Republic. At the time, the former president expressed his concern about the rising influence of the left wing in his country and that it might emerge victorious in the 2004 presidential election. The former president's outstanding administrative record, however, earned him the respect and support of the public, enabling the National Republican Alliance to emerge victorious and remain in power. The president noted that registration has begun ahead of the next presidential election in El Salvador and that a number of persons are interested in joining the race. President Chen expressed his interest and concern in affairs in El Salvador on the basis of Taiwan's close alliance with that nation.
Former President Flores expressed his gratitude to President Chen for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with him. He said the warmth exhibited by President Chen not only symbolizes the staunch alliance between the two countries, but also represents that the friendship between the two men transcends their titles. He said the two are truly good friends.
Former President Flores and his wife were accompanied to the Presidential Office in the afternoon by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Ching-shan Hou. Also in attendance was Deputy Secretary-General to the President Lin Chia-lung.