Taipei, Nov. 23 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian on Friday received two ministers from ROC's west African ally Burkina Faso and extended a warm welcome to them on behalf of the nation and its people.
Burkina Faso Foreign Minister Youssouf Ouedraogo and Agricultural Minister Salif Diallo attended the two-day meeting on bilateral cooperation between the two nations that concluded Thursday.
The president asked the two ministers to convey his respects and greetings to Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore, who has recently expressed his sympathy to Taiwan people for having suffered from a series of typhoons. The president also sent congratulation on Taiwan's admission into the World Trade Organization, and spoke for Taiwan's bid to join the United Nations at a U.N. General Assembly session.
The president said that participants in the fourth Meeting of the Mixed Commission of Cooperation between the Republic of China and Burkina Faso had fully discussed cooperation matters, and he believes the conclusion of the meeting will further boost bilateral exchanges and cooperation.
The president also said that he was concerned about the current situation in Africa, adding that only through helping people to improve their lives and come out of poverty will there be everlasting peace in the world.
He also said that Burkina Faso, which will sponsor international meetings on the prevention of AIDS and venereal disease, will help contribute to the health of the region, and that the ROC will provide related support as an ally.
The two ministers expressed their appreciation for the long-term support of the ROC, saying that the result of the meeting will be the basis for bilateral development for the next two years.