President Ma Ying-jeou, in the company of Vice President Vincent Siew, on the morning of May 22 at the Presidential Office met with Republic of Panama Second Vice President Ruben Arosemena, who is heading a delegation from his country to attend the inauguration of the ROC (Taiwan)'s twelfth-term president and vice president. President Ma, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), extended a warm welcome to Second Vice President Arosemena.
President Ma said that the ROC (Taiwan) and Panama have close relations dating back many years. The two countries established diplomatic ties in 1909, and next year will mark the centennial of diplomatic relations between the two. He said the ROC (Taiwan) places great importance on this long-standing alliance.
President Ma furthermore said that he personally has a deep friendship with Panama. While he was the mayor of Taipei in 2001, he was invited to visit Taipei's sister city Panama City. He said that during his stay there, he had the opportunity to view the city from a helicopter, visit the impressive Panama Canal, see some of that nation's beautiful scenery and feel the warmth of Panama's people. He said the trip left a deep impression on him. The president said that during the helicopter ride he took that enabled him to have an aerial view of Panama City, he discovered that the color of the ocean on the Pacific side appeared some tainted. After inquiring about this, he understood that this was the result of pollution entering the ocean from streams and rivers. After returning to Taiwan, he instructed engineers from the Sewage Systems Office of the Public Works Department under the Taipei City Government to look into the possibility of constructing a sanitary sewer system. He said that the efforts made by Panama City to treat waste water made a deep impression on him.
Second Vice President Arosemena congratulated President Ma and Vice President Siew on taking office. He also passed along the congratulations of Panama President Martin Torrijos Espino. He said President Torrijos had to attend a summit in Peru and therefore was unable to come to Taiwan to personally attend the inauguration and express his best regards. He said he hopes President Ma understands. Second Vice President Arosemena, on behalf of the Panama government, extended an invitation to President Ma to visit Panama on a state visit so he can see with his own eyes the vibrant development of Panama in recent years. He mentioned that the ROC (Taiwan) and Panama have signed a free trade agreement, which is helping to boost economic interaction between the two countries. He also said he is confident that cooperative and friendly relations between the two countries can continue to develop based on the existing foundation.
Second Vice President Arosemena was accompanied to the Presidential Office in the morning by Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco H. L. Ou to meet with President Ma and Vice President Siew. Also in attendance was National Security Council Secretary-General Su Chi.