Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

Taipei, Oct. 24 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Thursday that he welcomes the signing of a sports cooperation agreement between the Olympic Committees of the Republic of China and Guatemala, expressing hope that both countries can strengthen further sports exchanges through the pact.

Chen made the remarks during a meeting with Fernando Beltranena Valladares, chairman of the Guatemalan Olympic Committee, who was visiting Taipei at the invitation of Huang Ta-chou, chairman of Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee.

Huang and Beltranena signed the sports cooperation agreement Wednesday.

During the talks, President Chen expressed thanks to Beltranena for his coming to Taipei to sign the agreement. Guatemala is the eighth country that has signed such a pact with Taiwan since Huang assumed his post.

Chen praised Beltranena, who is also a famous ophthalmologist, for his contribution in promoting sports exchanges with other countries since he assumed the post as chairman of the Guatemalan Olympic Committee in 1993.

Beltranena was fond of football, horsemanship and cycling when he was young, and was one of the athletes of Guatemala's national cycling team for the Olympic Games.