President Ma Ying-jeou met with Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nicaragua General Moisés Omar Halleslevens Acevedo and Mrs. Halleslevens at the Presidential Office on the afternoon of June 9. The president, on behalf of the ROC government, extended a cordial welcome to them on their visit to Taiwan.
The president remarked that the ROC government regularly invites officials and high ranking officers from friendly and allied nations to visit Taiwan, with the hope of enabling our friends to understand current conditions in Taiwan and to further promote bilateral friendship and interaction. President Ma mentioned that just last week he visited Belize, Guatemala and El Salvador. In addition to having another opportunity to admire the lovely local scenery and feel the warmth and hospitality of the people of those nations, the president said he also sensed the deep friendship that exists between Latin American nations and the ROC.
President Ma said that he spoke over the telephone with Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega Saavedra while he was in El Salvador, and the two leaders exchanged opinions on issues of mutual interest. In addition, the president said that he ran into Mrs. Ortega while he was exercising in the morning at his hotel. President Ma said he then phoned her to extend his greetings. During the conversation, Mrs. Ortega expressed her hopes that during President Ma's visit to Nicaragua in July, arrangements will be made for him to see the state of a wide variety of cooperation projects carried out between the two countries.
In speaking of his upcoming trip to Nicaragua, President Ma said he hopes that both sides will continue with ongoing projects while introducing new ideas and methods of cooperation, thereby providing the greatest assistance possible to the government and people of Nicaragua, and also utilizing the resources provided by the ROC to their greatest effect. President Ma specially expressed his appreciation to Taiwan's friends and allies for speaking on behalf of Taiwan in the international community and helping Taiwan to attend this year's World Health Assembly. This marked the first time in 38 years that the nation participated in a United Nations-affiliated activity, he said, adding that the people of Taiwan were delighted by this development.
General Halleslevens expressed his appreciation to President Ma for meeting with him, and said that this audience with the president is a supreme honor for him. General Halleslevens also specially passed along President Ortega's best wishes to President Ma.