President Chen Welcomes Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolanos Geyes with Military Honors
Taipei, May 21 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian presided over a welcoming ceremony Tuesday for Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolanos Geyes, who arrived in Taiwan Monday for a four-day official visit.
Bolanos was accorded full military honors, complete with 21-gun salute, at the ceremony held at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall complex in downtown Taipei. Those who attended the ceremony included Vice President Annette Lu, government officials and members of the diplomatic corps.
Addressing the ceremony, Chen expressed his appreciation for Nicaragua's support for the Republic of China's bid to participate in the World Health Organization as an observer, as well as other international organizations. In addition, Chen also thanked Bolanos for his recent public address in support of ROC membership in the United Nations at the U.N. International Conference on Financing for Development held in Mexico.
Under Bolanos' leadership, Chen went on, bilateral relations between Taiwan and Nicaragua will be further enhanced.
President Bolanos, 74, took office in January 2002. He visited Taiwan in 1997 and 2000 in his capacity as vice president. This is his fourth visit to Taiwan.