President Chen Signs a Joint Communique with Visiting Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide
Taipei, July 20 (CNA) Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian signed a joint communique with visiting Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide on Saturday, the last day of his state visit.
Aristide said during the signing ceremony that the government and the people of his country support the ROC's efforts in attending, joining and participating in international organizations.
Both leaders also said that they are satisfied with the solid friendship between the two countries since 1956, and that they have decided to expand bilateral cooperation. For this purpose, both leaders agreed to regularly consult with each other on possible assistance, promote bilateral investments and trade cooperation projects.
They also agreed in the joint communique to step up exchanges and cooperation in agriculture, industry, environmental protection, human resource training, culture and sports.
The signing ceremony was held at the Presidential Office, with ROC officials and Aristide's 40-member entourage witnessing.
President Chen said that the Haiti delegation met with Taiwan business leaders Friday, and he believed that more business opportunities would be the result.
Aristide thanked the president for the hospitality during his stay in Taiwan, expressing the hope that he can see President Chen in Haiti. The Haitian government and people will warmly welcome ROC Premier Yu Shyi-kun, who is scheduled to visit Haiti in August, Aristide said. Aristide also said that when he visited Chichi Junior High School and the Chichi Train Station in Nantou County in central Taiwan which was devastated in the Sept. 21, 1999 earthquake, he was moved by the reconstruction efforts of the people of Taiwan.
He also said that when he visited the Lukang Folk Arts Museum in Changhwa County, central Taiwan, he witnessed the amazing development of Taiwan over the past five decades.
He expressed the hope that the two countries can continue to cooperate in every way and that his country will find relief from its poverty and backwardness through such assistance.
During the five-day visit, Aristide held two rounds of talks with President Chen to discuss ways of promoting bilateral cooperation.