President Ma Ying-jeou and Mrs. Ma departed on a trip to the ROC's allies of Nicaragua and Panama on the evening of June 29. President and Mrs. Ma will attend the inauguration of the Republic of Panama's President-elect Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal on this trip. President Ma delivered brief remarks prior to boarding the aircraft and departing on the journey.
First, the president expressed his appreciation to everyone on hand for coming to the airport and seeing him off on his trip to Panama, where he will attend the inauguration of that nation's president-elect and vice president-elect, followed by a stop in Nicaragua.
The president noted that the Republic of Panama held its presidential election on May 3. Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal, the chairman of the opposition Democratic Change Party, and Juan Carlos Varela were elected that nation's president and vice president, with the inauguration of the two, who will each have five-year terms, to take place on July 1. The president remarked that the ROC and Panama have a longstanding relationship, with diplomatic relations between the countries established back in 1909. This year marks the centennial of the founding of diplomatic ties between the two, he said, adding that the alliance is quite stable and that the two countries maintain frequent interaction. The president said that he was invited to attend the inauguration, and that in addition to extending his congratulations to Panama on a new political milestone, he also desires to obtain a better understanding of the current state of Panama, which will help to further develop the alliance. The president said that the delegation he is leading will also make a visit to the ally of Nicaragua, where he will express the friendship and concern of Taiwan for the people and head of state of that country.
The president said that Senior Advisor to the President Chang Po-ya, National Security Council Secretary-General Su Chi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco H. L. Ou, Minister of Transportation and Communications Mao Chi-kuo, a number of lawmakers, and related staff and personnel will accompany him on his third trip to Latin America since taking office. President Ma said that the core significance of this trip is the same as that of his previous journey, which was entitled "Project Sustained Harmony." He said that the ROC places importance on trade and economic relations with its allies, external assistance and cultural interaction. He added that he will have the opportunity to see representatives from the overseas compatriot communities in those countries, hear their voices, and seek to better understand the problems they are facing.
President Ma said that the ROC began adopting a policy of flexible diplomacy after he took office, and that his administration believes that this course makes the fullest use of the ROC's influence. He said that we will continue to solidify friendships with countries with which we maintain formal diplomatic relationships. In addition, cooperation will continue and even be expanded if both sides are interested in doing so. The president said he believes that these efforts will gradually stabilize ties with the ROC's 23 diplomatic allies and enhance cooperation and friendship with countries with which the ROC does not have formal diplomatic relations.
The president commented that he will transit in San Francisco, California on his way to Central America and return to Taiwan by way of Hawaii. He said that just like on his previous trip, the stopovers are purely transit in nature. He and his delegation are scheduled to return to Taiwan on July 6. The president lastly once again thanked everyone for coming to see him off, and he wished them good health and success in their work.