President Ma Ying-jeou met on the morning of November 6 with Republic of El Salvador Minister of Defense Jose Atilio Benitez Parada and Mrs. Benitez. The president, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC, extended a cordial welcome to Minister and Mrs. Benitez, and expressed his hope that their visit to Taiwan will help to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
In remarks, the president stated that General Benitez first visited Taiwan in 2000 to participate in a training program carried out by the Ministry of Defense for high-ranking officials from diplomatic allies and other friendly nations. In 2004, he took part in a program organized by the National Security Bureau, and in 2008 after becoming logistics commander, he visited the ROC to have firsthand knowledge of the state of Taiwan's logistical operations. President Ma expressed confidence that during this visit, General Benitez, as minister of defense, will gain a better understanding of the state of Taiwan's infrastructure and the bilateral cooperation being carried out between the two countries.
President Ma commented that the relationship between the ROC and El Salvador has been quite steady and very close since the two established diplomatic relations in 1941. The two nations signed a free trade agreement that took effect on March 1, 2008, he said, adding that this accord has played an important role in boosting bilateral trade. The president also pointed out that he met recently with El Salvador First Lady Vanda Pignato and accompanied her on a tour of social service facilities here. First Lady Pignato's visit also highlights the deep bonds of friendship between the ROC and El Salvador, he said.
President Ma stated that the ROC and El Salvador have traditionally maintained extremely close military ties. Over the years, each side has dispatched officers to the other country to participate in military courses and training, he noted. These types of exchanges enhance bilateral friendship, and also help to forge effective communication and cooperation in a wide range of fields, the president said.
In discussing cross-strait relations, President Ma stated that starting in 2008 the ROC began working to improve its relationship with mainland China. Over the past four years, the two sides have signed 18 agreements. However, the government has not lowered its expectations for the military regarding preparedness, he said. President Ma reiterated Taiwan's adherence to a "three lines of defense" strategy, namely: the institutionalization of cross-strait relations; enhancing Taiwan's international participation; and aligning Taiwan's defense with diplomacy. Consequently, the government is striving to create a small yet highly capable military to defend the nation's security and maintain the dignity of the people of Taiwan, he said.
President Ma expressed his belief that the ROC should be a peacemaker, a provider of humanitarian aid, a promoter of cultural ties, a creator of new technologies and business opportunities, and a standard-bearer of Chinese culture. Meanwhile, the president noted that in addition to improving the cross-strait relation, he has proposed the East China Sea Peace Initiative as a means to resolve the sovereignty dispute over the Diaoyutai Islets, and to help promote peace in the region. In the future, he said, the ROC will continue to advocate the use of peaceful means to resolve disputes in a bid to maintain peace and stability in East Asia.
President Ma also remarked that three years ago he led a delegation to El Salvador to take part in the inauguration ceremonies of President Mauricio Funes. The president stated that he deeply admires President Funes for his vision as a statesman. He also commented that he has invited President Funes to visit Taiwan to further strengthen the alliance between the two countries. The president also expressed his hope that this visit to Taiwan by Minister Benitez will help to enhance the cooperative relationship between the two countries.
Minister of Defense Benitez and Mrs. Benitez were accompanied to the Presidential Office by El Salvador Ambassador to the ROC Marta Chang de Tsien (錢曾愛珠) to meet President Ma. Also attending the meeting were Secretary-General to the President Timothy Chin-tien Yang (楊進添), Minister of National Defense Kao Hua-chu (高華柱), and National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Lu Hsiao-jung (陸小榮).