Taipei, April 30 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian conferred Tuesday the Order of Brilliant Star with Violet Grand Cordon on Gustavo Selva, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of Italy's Congress, in recognition of his contribution to bilateral relations.
The conferring ceremony was held at the Presidential Office and witnessed by various officials including Selva's son Lorenzo, Alberto Galluccio, director of the Italian Economic, Trade and Cultural Promotion Office in Taipei and Presidential Office Secretary-General Chen Shih-Meng.
Speaking at the ceremony, the president expressed his appreciation for Selva's support for Taiwan and his promotion of the substantive relations between the two countries.
Chen also thanked Selva for the assistance he gave to Vice President Annette Lu when she made a stopover in Italy en route to Hungary last March.
He noted that the European Parliament passed a resolution April 11 supporting the lifting of all restrictions on visits to Europe by the ROC president and high-ranking officials.
Chen said that it is regrettable that the president of a democratic country does not have the right of freedom of movement, and he expressed hope that the resolution can be put in practice soon through bilateral efforts.
He also said he hopes that the ROC and Italy will increase economic exchanges and establish a dialogue mechanism at the vice ministerial level at least. He added that Selva could serve as the best bridge between the two nations. For his part, the Italian parliamentarian said that the ROC medal represents not only a great honor for himself, but also signifies the friendship between the two nations. Selva pledged to continue doing his best to promote ROC-Italian relations and to support the ROC's bids to join international organizations.