President Chen Shui-bian met with Saint Christopher and Nevis Prime Minister Denzil Llewellyn Douglas and an accompanying delegation at the Presidential Office in the morning on January 28. President Chen, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), extended a cordial welcome and expressed appreciation to the visitors.
President Chen noted that this is the seventh visit to Taiwan by Prime Minister Douglas and the fifth during the president's tenure. This time, however, is the first time during President Chen's eight years in office that a military welcome has been extended to welcome the prime minister. This not only represents the longstanding alliance between the two nations, which now dates back 25 years, but also signifies that Prime Minister Douglas is one of Taiwan's best friends. President Chen also cited another reason for the military welcome. He said that each country throughout the world has its own constitutional system. While some are presidential-based systems, others are cabinet-based. If military welcomes are only offered to presidents, this is unfair to prime ministers from nations that practice cabinet systems, he said. The president said he received a warm welcome when he visited Saint Christopher and Nevis and that after discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here, it was decided that Prime Minister Douglas would be provided the same level of welcome upon his visit to Taiwan.
President Chen furthermore said that changing established tradition is not an easy thing to accomplish. However, he has made it possible, offering this honor to Prime Minister Douglas and the people of Saint Christopher and Nevis. In a gesture of goodwill, Saint Christopher and Nevis on the afternoon of January 28 will establish its first embassy in East Asia in Taiwan.
President Chen also expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Douglas for his public praise of the work carried out by ROC Ambassador to Saint Christopher and Nevis John J. K. Liu. He said that Ambassador Liu and other members of the embassy have made enormous contributions and played a vital role in promoting substantive friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries. This has paved the way for cooperation in the areas of public infrastructure, the creation of an ICT computer center, the establishment of sports facilities and the inauguration of multi-functional fishing vessels. President Chen also thanked Prime Minister Douglas for his staunch support for Taiwan in entering international organizations. He said the prime minister has spared no effort in advocating entry for Taiwan in the United Nations and the World Health Organization.
President Chen also lauded Prime Minister Douglas for his outstanding leadership. The prime minister has a high degree of influence in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and the Caribbean Common Market, he noted. The president said he hopes the prime minister will assist Taiwan in establishing even more friendships within the region.
Prime Minister Douglas said that he is extremely honored to have received the stately military welcome earlier in the day, adding that this was one of the most important moments in his life. The prime minister reiterated his pledge to help Taiwan gain more space in the international community. He said he will encourage Saint Christopher and Nevis's diplomatic allies and other friends throughout the world and in the Eastern Caribbean to lend a helping hand to Taiwan.