Taipei, Nov. 22 (CNA) Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian received Panamanian Health Minister Fernando Gracia Garcia and his wife Thursday at the Presidential Office.
President Chen, on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China, welcomed Gracia and his wife to Taiwan and asked him to convey his regards to Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso.
President Chen said that relations between the Republic of China and Panama are very cordial and all the exchanges and cooperation projects between the two countries have been smoothly implemented, especially in medical care and public health.
President Chen also expressed his gratitude to Panama for its firm support of the ROC in the international community. Panama has not only supported the ROC's bid for membership in the United Nations but also for its efforts to be granted observer status in the World Health Organization, Chen said, adding that because of this, the ROC is happy to share its economic development experience with Panama.
In return, Gracia conveyed the regards of President Moscoso to President Chen.
Gracia stressed that the ROC has every right to be accorded fair treatment from the international community and said that he was sure that Third World countries like Panama would benefit from the participation of the ROC in international organizations.
Gracia said that he was deeply impressed by the ROC's progressive accomplishments in economics and other fields.
Gracia and his wife were accompanied by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lan Chih-min and Panamanian ambassador to the ROC Jose Autonio Dominguez during the meeting with President Chen. Gracia and his wife arrived in Taipei Monday for a weeklong visit.