Taipei, Nov. 7 (CNA) Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian congratulated Nicaraguan President-elect Enrique Bolanos Geyer by telephone Wednesday on his election victory.
In addition to congratulating him on being elected, President Chen also extended an invitation to Bolanos for him to visit Taiwan after he assumes power.
Bolanos said that he accepted the invitation with pleasure and that he will make his fourth visit to the Republic of China next May.
President Chen phoned Bolanos shortly after the ruling Liberal candidate was confirmed to have triumphed over Sandinista candidate Daniel Ortega in the presidential election held Sunday.
Chen said that Bolanos' win showed that he enjoyed strong public confidence.
Chen also praised Bolanos as a sincere friend of the Republic of China and said that Bolanos has visited Taiwan three times in the past.
Chen recalled that he became acquaintance with Bolanos last June when Bolanos was in Taiwan for his third visit.
Chen pointed out that the cooperative relations between the two countries are increasing daily and getting closer since the two countries resumed their diplomatic relations in 1990. Chen described Nicaragua as a "firm ally of the Republic of China" because Nicaragua has always firmly supported the ROC's bid for membership on international organizations including the United Nations and the World Health Organization. "I do believe that under your able leadership, cooperation between our two countries will be further cemented," Chen said.
In return, Bolanos expressed his heartfelt thanks to President Chen for his congratulatory telephone call. He said that he was very happy to accept the invitation of President Chen and said that he will make his fourth visit to the ROC next May in his capacity as President of Nicaragua.