His Excellency Mario Luis Cucalón D'Anello, the new Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan) from the Republic of Panama, presented his credentials to President Ma Ying-jeou on the afternoon of October 30.
The ceremony was held at 5:00 p.m. at the Presidential Building. Ambassador Cucalón was escorted by Acting Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Protocol Liu Der-li to offer his credentials to the president. Secretary-General to the President Liouyi Liao and Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Chin-tien Yang were also present to witness the proceedings.
After receiving the credentials of Ambassador Cucalón, President Ma extended a cordial welcome to him on behalf of the government and people of the ROC on assuming his new position. President Ma remarked that he has visited Panama twice over the past one-plus year. His first visit was a transit stop during which he held discussions with former President Martin Torrijos. On another visit in July of this year, he exchanged opinions with current President Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal. He also said he had an opportunity to meet with Vice President Juan Carlos Varela. The two nations maintain frequent contact at the highest levels and have close relations, he said.
President Ma said that in the course of discussions with President Martinelli, he came to understand that Panama City is interested in building a mass rapid transit system. This is quite an important infrastructure project to President Martinelli, he said. President Ma said he explained to President Martinelli that Taipei's mass rapid transit system has been in existence for over 15 years and Taiwan could share its experience with Panama in this regard. At present, quite a few international conglomerates and banking institutions are willing to invest in the project. President Ma said he is confident that President Martinelli will be able to realize this policy objective during his presidency.
The president also commented that the ROC and Panama have a diplomatic alliance that dates back 100 years, making it extremely special in the history of the ROC's foreign affairs. Consequently, we put great emphasis on the alliance with Panama and hope that in the future bilateral cooperation projects will continue and even be expanded, he said.
Ambassador Cucalón stated that in the three weeks since arriving in Taiwan, he has already come to sense the warmth and hospitality of the Taiwan people. He said he hopes to have the opportunity to visit every corner of Taiwan and experience the kindness of the people here. He also passed along best wishes from Panama's president and vice president, and thanked President Ma for leading a delegation to attend the inauguration of President Martinelli and also deliver an address at the National Assembly. Ambassador Cucalón also remarked that in the future he will make every effort to promote a stronger alliance between the two countries, promoting bilateral relations and strengthening cooperation. This will enable relations between the two nations to become even closer and stronger, he commented.