President Ma Ying-jeou met with Tuvalu Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia and Mrs. Ielemia at the Presidential Office on the morning of April 30. The president, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC, expressed a warm welcome to the guests on their visit to Taiwan.
President Ma commented that Tuvalu gained its independence in 1978 and the following year it established diplomatic relations with the ROC, so the diplomatic alliance now spans over three decades. The president recalled that two years ago Prime Minister Ielemia came to Taiwan to attend his inauguration, and noted that he himself recently made a state visit to Tuvalu on March 23 and received a warm reception from the government there, for which he expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Ielemia.
The president remarked that the two countries have a stable alliance and cooperative projects are being carried out in a number of fields, including agriculture, medicine, vocational training, and environmental protection. These projects are moving forward smoothly and personnel from both countries are actively involved in this work, he said. In addition, volunteers from Taiwan have made outstanding contributions in Tuvalu, he said. The president particularly pointed out that Ms. Lin Fang-yu has gained the nickname Misikata, meaning "smiling volunteer." She is involved in promoting environmental protection-related work and is very popular in Tuvalu, he said. The president said he is pleased that this type of assistance has been such a success.
President Ma specially expressed his appreciation to Tuvalu for speaking on behalf of the ROC in various venues such as the Pacific Islands Forum, the United Nations, and the World Health Organization, advocating Taiwan's participation in these organizations and related activities. The president said that Taiwan hopes to make an even greater contribution to the international community. The president commented that Prime Minister Ielemia is visiting Taiwan to take part in the Second Congress of the Asia Pacific Greens Network, where participants will discuss the problem of rising sea levels. He said that besides stepping up efforts to conserve energy and cut carbon emissions in order to fulfill its responsibility to the international community, Taiwan is also pleased to work with Australia and New Zealand on ways to help Tuvalu tackle the challenges facing it.
President Ma stressed that since taking office he has emphasized the need to direct Taiwan's foreign aid toward the achievement of proper goals. He has also insisted that all aid be carried out in accordance with legal processes and be effectively administered. He said he hopes that the assistance projects being carried out in Tuvalu will embody these principles. He added that he is confident that the projects will yield positive results, and that he looks forward to continued close and friendly relations.
Prime Minister Ielemia first expressed his appreciation to President Ma for meeting with him and also stated his gratitude to Taiwan for its longstanding assistance to his nation. He also expressed his condolences for the loss of life caused by a recent avalanche that engulfed a portion of the No. 3 Freeway in northern Taiwan.
Prime Minister Ielemia and Mrs. Ielemia were accompanied to the Presidential Office in the morning by Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Chin-tien Yang. Also attending the meeting was National Security Council Secretary-General Hu Wei-jen.