President Ma Ying-jeou met with Republic of Haiti Foreign Minister Alrich Nicolas at the Presidential Office on the morning of September 9 and extended a warm welcome to Mr. Nicolas and the delegation he is leading on their visit to Taiwan.
The president remarked that the ROC and Haiti have had diplomatic relations for 53 years, and the two countries maintain cordial and friendly ties. In August of last year, he met with Haiti President René Préval during a visit to ROC allies in Central America. President Ma said that the meeting enabled him to understand Haiti's development in recent years, adding that the discussions between the two were extremely pleasant. President Ma stated that President Préval sent a telegram expressing his concern and sympathies upon learning of the worst flooding experienced in Taiwan in decades, which resulted in the deaths of over 700 people. President Ma expressed his appreciation to President Préval for his concern.
The president also said that in May of this year, Kély Bastien, Speaker of Haiti's Senate and National Assembly, led a delegation to Taiwan. Just a few months later, Foreign Minister Nicolas is now making another visit, which demonstrates the close contacts at the highest levels of government between the two nations. The president added that this is highly beneficial to interaction and cooperation between the ROC and Haiti.
President Ma commented that in the past the ROC has sought opportunities to participate in international affairs and that Haiti has provided assistance in this regard. The president said that he has adopted a strategy of flexible diplomacy since taking office, which is enabling Taiwan and other countries throughout the world to interact based on the principle of mutual trust, respect and responsibility. At the same time, Taiwan has improved its relationship with mainland China, thereby reducing tensions in the Taiwan Strait. This is a situation that has not been seen over the past 60 years, he said. President Ma stated that based on considerations of international economic cooperation, the ROC will no longer oppose the establishment by its allies of economic and trade relations with mainland China.
The president also expressed his desire to see the continued development of relations with Haiti, and for the two countries to share development experiences.
Foreign Minister Nicolas extended his appreciation to President Ma for taking time out of his schedule to meet with him, and he once again passed along President Préval's sympathies with respect to the recent disaster that struck Taiwan. He commented that a number of storms swept through Haiti last year. At the time, Taiwan provided his nation with a range of assistance that was extremely important to the wellbeing of the people of Haiti.