Taipei, June 19 (CNA) Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian received visiting Tuvalu Prime Minister Faimalaga Luka at the Presidential Office Tuesday.
Chen expressed gratitude to Luka for Tuvalu's long-time support of the Republic of China's bid for membership in the United Nations and also expressed hope that the ROC's long-dreamed-for rejoining of the U.N. will be realized in the near future.
In return, Luka promised that he will do his best to further upgrade relations between the two countries and reiterated that Tuvalu will continue to support the ROC and speak for Taiwan in international organizations.
Luka arrived in Taipei Monday for a week-long visit, his third to the Republic of China. He visited Taiwan in 1990 and 1995.
The ROC head of state congratulated Luka on assuming the post of prime minister in February and on Tuvalu becoming the 189th member of the U.N. last September. "We share your joy and pride," Chen said.
Chen said that bilateral relations between the ROC and Tuvalu are very cordial since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1979. He thanked Tuvalu for its long-time support of the ROC cause in the international community.
Chen said that according to U.N. principles, Taiwan should not receive such unfair treatment and added that the ROC is the only country to be excluded by the U.N. "We admire very much your becoming a U.N. member," he said.
Luka for his part thanked the ROC for offering technical assistance and helping train young Tuvalu talent, which has greatly helped Tuvalu implement economic development projects.