President Ma Ying-jeou on the morning of November 21 at the Presidential Office met with the Republic of Panama's Panama City Mayor Mr. Juan C. Navarro and Mrs. Navarro. The president extended a warm welcome to the guests for making a special trip to Taiwan and also expressed appreciation for the warm reception he received when he visited Panama City seven years ago.
President Ma said Mayor Navarro has fully dedicated himself to addressing and resolving city-related issues, and he is also an expert on birds. Mayor Navarro has published books that introduce birds as well as Panama's nature parks, he said. President Ma said he is pleased that the residents of Panama City have such a learned mayor, adding that he is confident that Mayor Navarro in the future will have the opportunity to serve the entire populace of Panama.
President Ma said that relations between Taiwan and Panama have moved forward in recent months. In the middle of August when he made a visit to allies in Latin America, his first stop was in Panama. He met with Panama President Martin Torrijos at the airport and the two had a good conversation, he said. Moreover, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this year held a meeting in Panama to discuss Latin American issues among the ROC's diplomats stationed in the region. Panama extended considerable assistance in enabling the meeting to be held. Furthermore, Panama has spoken on behalf of the ROC (Taiwan) in many international arenas. President Ma expressed his deepest appreciation for Panama's efforts in this regard.
Mayor Navarro said that he is honored that President Ma took time out of his busy schedule to meet with him. This is his third visit to Taiwan and he has visited the Taipei 101 building and taken a ride on the high-speed railway. He said that Taiwan's progress has left impression on him.
Mayor Navarro and Republic of Panama Ambassador to the ROC (Taiwan) Mr. Julio Mock were accompanied to the Presidential Office in the morning by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Ching-shan Hou to meet with President Ma. Also in attendance was National Security Council Secretary-General Su Chi.