Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

President Ma Ying-jeou met on the afternoon of October 8 with a delegation from the Republic of The Gambia led by Vice President Isatou Njie-Saidy. In addition to extending a cordial welcome to the visitors, who were in Taiwan to participate in the ROC's Double Tenth Day festivities, the president called for continued strengthening of bilateral cooperation and a lasting alliance.

In remarks, President Ma commented that he had visited The Gambia in April of last year on a trip to African allies codenamed "Project Benevolence and Friendship." The president said he got a deep sense for the hospitality and warmth of the people of The Gambia while he was there. President Ma added that The Gambia President Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh is not only an outstanding leader, but is also a strong athlete who is quite good on the football pitch.

President Ma further stated that in June of last year at a joint graduation ceremony held at the ROC Military Academy for all branches of the military, he presented a model of the M2A2 Cheng Kung-class patrol boat to President Jammeh, who was in Taiwan returning his visit. On August 23 of this year at the port of Banjul, he remarked, Vice President Njie-Saidy personally presided over the christening of the three patrol boats that the ROC presented to The Gambia. The boats are intended to help The Gambia strengthen its sea patrols and achieve better success in cracking down on drugs and smuggling, said the president.

President Ma noted that President Jammeh places immense importance on the welfare and education of women, and during the first meeting between the two leaders President Jammeh explained to him how the government of The Gambia has improved the environment and conditions for women in his nation. West Africa, and in fact the entire African continent, has recognized the efforts made by The Gambia on this front, said President Ma.

The president stressed that The Gambia is an important ally of the ROC and that the efforts made by The Gambia to speak on behalf of the ROC in various international venues is something that the government and people of the ROC will never forget. Lastly, he wished the delegation a pleasant stay here and asked Vice President Njie-Saidy to pass along his best regards and appreciation to President Jammeh.

The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by The Gambia Ambassador to the ROC Alhagie Ebrima N. H. Jarjou to meet President Ma. Also attending the meeting were Secretary-General to the President Timothy Chin-Tien Yang (楊進添), National Security Council Advisor Francis Yi-Hua Kan (甘逸驊), and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Shen-Yeaw Ko (柯森耀).