President Ma Ying-jeou met with Republic of Palau Vice President and Minister of Finance Kerai Mariur and Mrs. Mariur at the Presidential Office on the afternoon of July 22. The president, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC, expressed a cordial welcome to Vice President and Mrs. Mariur on their visit to Taiwan.
President Ma remarked that since the ROC and Palau established diplomatic relations in 1999, the two have maintained close cooperation in the fields of agriculture, telecommunications, medicine, tourism, and vocational training. In particular, the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs last year launched the International Youth Ambassadors Exchange Program and this year is staging the Taiwan Study Trip for Outstanding Young Citizens from ROC Pacific Allies. Such initiatives enable more young people from Taiwan to see the beauty of Palau, and offer an opportunity for young leaders from our diplomatic allies to come to Taiwan and experience the hospitality of the people here. The programs also help the two countries build friendships via their younger generations, thereby solidifying the foundation for the alliance in the future.
President Ma stated that cross-strait relations have improved over the past two years. He said that the government has promoted "aboveboard diplomacy" and last year in a white paper on foreign aid clearly elaborated that in implementing foreign aid, Taiwan's approach is to "seek proper goals, act lawfully, and exercise effective administration." The president said that this approach has been applauded by the ROC's allies, and he expressed his hope that cooperation and interaction between the two countries will continue to expand. In addition, the president specially stated his appreciation to the Palau government for speaking on behalf of the ROC in international venues over the past two years. These efforts have helped enable Taiwan to participate in the World Health Assembly. In addition, Palau also fully advocates Taiwan's participation in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the International Civil Aviation Organization, he noted.
President Ma said that when he visited Palau in March of this year, he was deeply impressed by the blue skies and ocean, and by Palau's outstanding stewardship of its marine resources. In particular, he said, he will never forget the hospitality extended to him by Palau's government, as well as the warmth and friendliness of the nation's people.
Shortly thereafter, Vice President Vincent C. Siew also met with Vice President Mariur and Mrs. Mariur at the Presidential Office. Vice President Siew said the two sides have maintained close relations in the 11 years since they established diplomatic ties. Each year, he said, many people from Taiwan visit Palau for tourism and to invest there, and they leave Palau with an outstanding impression of that nation. Meanwhile, the vice president also thanked the Palau government for its longstanding support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations and international activities.
Vice President Siew remarked that the visit to Palau in March of this year by President Ma and now this visit to Taiwan by Vice President Mariur demonstrate the close ties between the two countries. He especially pointed to cooperation projects in agriculture, fisheries, human resources, and clean energy, all of which he said can be further strengthened. He also said he hopes that efforts between the two countries will generate even greater business opportunities.
Vice President Mariur and Mrs. Mariur were accompanied to the Presidential Office in the afternoon by Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Chin-tien Yang to meet President Ma and then Vice President Siew.