President Ma Ying-jeou met with Republic of El Salvador Ambassador to the ROC Francisco Ricardo Santana and Mrs. Santana at the Presidential Office Building on the afternoon of March 30. Ambassador Santana's tenure here will end on March 31, and the president expressed his deepest gratitude on behalf of the government and people of the ROC for the efforts and contributions made by Ambassador Santana in promoting the alliance between the two countries.
The president noted that Ambassador Santana has served as ambassador to the ROC twice. He first served here for a period of six years from 1985 to 1991, while his second tenure started in 1999. Combined, Ambassador Santana has served in Taiwan for nearly 17 years, making him the longest serving ambassador to the ROC, the president said. President Ma furthermore commented that when an ambassador is dispatched to a country twice, this points to a high level of success achieved during the first tenure. To thank Ambassador Santana and recognize his efforts and contributions, the president said that the ROC government was planning to bestow upon him the Order of Propitious Clouds with Grand Cordon.
President Ma said that besides Ambassador Santana's outstanding linguistic abilities, he has many friends here, adding that he is confident that Ambassador Santana enjoyed living in Taiwan. The president also reiterated his deepest appreciation to El Salvador for repeatedly speaking on behalf of the ROC in international settings.
Ambassador Santana said that he is deeply honored to have served as Ambassador to the ROC, and that he cherishes the memory of his time here. Besides working to solidify the alliance between the two countries, the nearly 17 years spent in the ROC have provided him with many wonderful experiences and learning opportunities. He particularly treasures the chance to know and appreciate the Taiwan spirit, he said. Ambassador Santana mentioned that he came to Taiwan to study in 1982 and at that time received a scholarship from the ROC to fund his studies. He said that he will never forget this.
Ambassador and Mrs. Santana were accompanied to the Presidential Office in the afternoon by Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Chin-tien Yang. Also attending the meeting with President Ma was National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Lee Hai-tung.