President Ma Ying-jeou on the morning of January 10 met with Alhaji Mamadou Tangara, the Republic of The Gambia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad. The president, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC, extended a cordial welcome to Minister Tangara on his visit to Taiwan.
The president noted that Minister Tangara is a highly cultured man who earned a master's degree in literature in Belgium, a doctorate in literature in France, and is fluent in five languages. He has been involved in foreign affairs work for many years, and previously served as the Coordinator of the National Authorising Office Support Unit (NAOSU) for European Union funded programmes and projects in The Gambia, and Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology of The Gambia. Minister Tangara is highly respected in The Gambia, and this marks his first trip to the ROC, the president said, adding that he is confident that the visit will help to further promote bilateral friendship.
President Ma explained that relations between the two countries have been extremely close since the resumption of diplomatic ties in 1995. The two sides cooperate in agriculture, medicine, education, vocational training, and infrastructure, and have achieved substantive results in all of these fields. For instance, 180 students from The Gambia are studying in Taiwan. As a result, universities here have specially designed courses for these students in petroleum, computer science, civil engineering, medicine, and art. In addition, senior officials from each country frequently exchange visits. President Ma affirmed that the ROC is pleased to provide development assistance to The Gambia, and expressed his hope that the projects currently being implemented will be expanded based on mutual consensus.
President Ma remarked that he has made every effort in the two and half years since taking office to improve cross-strait relations, and incipient signs of peace have emerged as a result. Taiwan and mainland China have signed 15 agreements that will help to systematically address trade, health, and medical issues, as well as to pave the way for law enforcement cooperation. Improved cross-strait ties have also given Taiwan more breathing room in the international community, he said, pointing specifically to Taiwan's participation in conferences held by UN specialized agencies and Taiwan's entry into the Agreement on Government Procurements. Meanwhile, 97 nations have now included Taiwan in their visa waiver programs, he said.
President Ma expressed his hope that the ROC will be able to participate in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the International Civil Aviation Organization so as to be able to join with others in the efforts to ward off climate change and to promote aviation safety. The president also said he appreciates that The Gambia has spoken on behalf of Taiwan in many international venues, and stated his hopes that the two countries will further enhance their exchanges and cooperation.
Minister Tangara and The Gambia Ambassador to the ROC Alhaji Ebrima N. H. Jarjou were accompanied to the Presidential Office in the morning by Deputy Foreign Minister Lyushun Shen to meet President Ma. Also attending the meeting was National Security Council Advisor Tung Kuo-yu.