President Chen Shui-bian met with President Litokwa Tomeing and Mrs. Tomeing of the Marshall Islands on the afternoon of March 10 at the Presidential Office. President Chen, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), extended a warm welcome to President and Mrs. Tomeing in making the state visit to Taiwan.
President Chen said that President Tomeing visited Taiwan three times during his eight years as parliamentary speaker. The three visits, in December 1999, November 2002 and August 2005, were resounding successes, he said. This trip to Taiwan, however, marks President Tomeing's first visit here since his inauguration as president. President Chen said that he is honored and proud that President Tomeing chose Taiwan as the destination for his first visit overseas as president. The president noted that outstanding achievements have been seen in health, medical and agricultural technology cooperation between the two countries. He hopes that further exchanges will be carried out based on the existing foundation established between the two nations.
President Chen said that a friendship fleet from Taiwan will soon make a visit to the Marshall Islands and he hopes that this will make a contribution to exchanges between the countries. The president said he expects the visit by the fleet to leave a deep impression on the people of the Marshall Islands, and that he hopes the government and people of the Marshall Islands will provide the assistance required to ensure the success of the visit.
President Chen also said he hopes President Tomeing will be satisfied with the arrangements made for his state visit. On March 11, a state dinner will be held to honor the visit by President Tomeing and his delegation. On March 12, he will fly with President Tomeing to Hualien. President Chen noted that the Second Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit was held in Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands, and that the Third Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit will be held in Kaohsiung in the latter half of this year. The president said that while he will have already left office when the summit is held, he looks forward to welcoming President and Mrs. Tomeing, along with the other heads of state attending the summit, to his new home in Kaohsiung.
President Tomeing expressed his gratitude to President Chen for his invitation to visit Taiwan. He added that making this trip is the right thing to do and was an important decision. In addition to representing the support of the Marshall Islands for its relationship with Taiwan, President Tomeing echoed President Chen's statements that many accomplishments have been seen as the result of bilateral exchanges between the two countries. President Tomeing said he wants to thank the government and people of Taiwan for their assistance. He said the Marshall Islands will continue to be a staunch supporter of Taiwan and speak on behalf of Taiwan in the United Nations and other international organizations.