President Ma Ying-jeou met on the morning of April 20 with Governor of Guam Eddie Calvo and Mrs. Calvo. Besides expressing a warm welcome to them on their visit to Taiwan, the president also stated his hope that Taiwan and the United States will resume negotiations under the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). He also stated his hope that the United States will provide assistance and support to Taiwan in its desire to participate in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The president remarked that Taiwan and Guam maintain very close relations on a number of fronts. For instance, bilateral trade increased to over US$45 million in 2011, up by 15% from US$39 million in 2010. In addition, since Taiwan has been included in the Guam-Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Visa Waiver Program as of November 2009, Taiwanese are now allowed visa-free entry to the territories for a period of up to 45 days. What's more, direct flights between Taiwan and Guam make traveling even easier, the president noted, pointing out that the number of Taiwanese tourists to Guam in 2011 increased over 40% from the previous year to nearly 45,000. This is equivalent to about one-quarter of Guam's population and makes Taiwan one of the most important sources of tourists to Guam, he said.
President Ma told Governor Calvo that since he came to office, Taiwan and mainland China have negotiated and signed the Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, and that Taiwan has engaged in talks with other countries on economic partnerships or economic cooperation agreements. He expressed his hope that Taiwan and the United States will be able to resume negotiations under the TIFA as soon as possible, which would pave the way for closer economic cooperation. The president also stated that he hopes the United States will continue to support and assist Taiwan in its efforts to take part in the ICAO, UNFCCC, and other international activities.
The president expressed his appreciation to Governor Calvo for his concern for Taiwan compatriots over the years, noting in particular that while Governor Calvo has visited Taiwan on a number of occasions in the past, this is the first time he is visiting here as Governor, which makes this trip even more significant. The president said he is confident that Governor Calvo will spot the changes that have taken place in Taiwan in recent years, and expressed his hope that bilateral relations will continue to move forward.
Governor Calvo and Mrs. Calvo were accompanied to the Presidential Office by Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Guam Director-General Paul Poa-shing Wang (王保新) to meet President Ma. Also attending the meeting were National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Chih-kung Liu (劉志攻) and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tung Kuoyu (董國猷).