The new Republic of Nicaragua Ambassador to Taiwan William Tapia presented his credentials to President Chen Shui-bian on January 29.
The ceremony in which Ambassador Tapia presented his credentials was held at 10:00 a.m. at the Presidential Building. Ambassador Tapia was accompanied by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Protocol Department Director Liu Yi-min. Among those attending the ceremony were Deputy Secretary-General to the President Chen Chi-mai and Foreign Minister James C. F. Huang.
After receiving Ambassador Tapia's credentials, President Chen extended a cordial welcome to the ambassador on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan). The president lauded Ambassador Tapia as one of Nicaragua's most senior and outstanding diplomats. Ambassador Tapia was a student in National Taiwan University's Department of History many years ago and previously served as a cultural attaché at Nicaragua's embassy in Taiwan. President Chen said that with his strong credentials and understanding of Taiwan, Ambassador Tapia is extremely qualified for this position.
President Chen noted that he led a delegation to Nicaragua in January 2007 to attend the inauguration of Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega Saavedra. On the eve of his inauguration, President-elect Ortega invited President Chen to visit the Sandinista Party headquarters for a meeting. At that meeting, the president elect announced to the delight of the visitors that Nicaragua would continue formal diplomatic relations with the ROC (Taiwan). President Chen made another visit to Nicaragua in late August last year. In addition to receiving an enthusiastic welcome from President Ortega at the airport on his arrival, President Ortega personally drove President Chen to visit several towns in the northern part of the country. The lengthy journey did not end until 1:00 a.m. when President Chen returned to the hotel at which he was staying. On January 14 of this year, President Chen and President Ortega had a chance to meet again at the inauguration of Guatemala President Alvaro Colom Caballeros. The two leaders had a cordial meeting late in the evening the day before the inauguration. President Chen said that President Ortega is not only an outstanding leader in Nicaragua, but also is a highly respected leader in Latin America and in the world community. He said President Ortega has a deep understanding of China. It is precisely because of his thorough understanding of China and his sympathy, friendship and support for Taiwan that President Ortega has become the strongest supporter of Taiwan in Latin America.
President Chen extended his gratitude at the encouragement and support extended by President Ortega since taking office. President Ortega has also accepted an invitation to visit Taiwan. President Chen also expressed his welcome to President Ortega's eldest son, who will lead a delegation of athletes to Taiwan in the near future to engage in athletic exchanges here. The president said he hopes Ambassador Tapia will help arrange a state visit by President Ortega and Mrs. Ortega to Taiwan before President Chen leaves office.