President Lee Teng-hui this morning tells Dr. Carlos R. Alvarado A., President of the Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Panama, that the Republic of China values highly her longtime friendship with Panama and that he very much looks forward to even closer cooperation and exchanges between both countries.
President Lee also notes that during his visit to Panama several years ago when he served as vice president, he was deeply impressed by the friendly people and beautiful landscape there. Panama is geographically important and has great potential for further development given her strategic location in the Central and South American region, President Lee adds.
Accompanied by ROC Vice Foreign Minister Chen Chien-jen and Panamanian Ambassador Carlos Alberto Mendoza, President Alvarado and his delegation come to the Office of the President and for a courtesy call to President Lee. Mr. Wu Poh-hsiung, Secretary-General to the President, and Mr. Ding Mou-shih, Secretary-General of the ROC National Security Council, are also present at the meeting.
On behalf of President Ernesto Perez Balladares of Panama, Dr. Alvarado conveys his best wishes to President Lee. He says that, although their visit here is brief, all the members of his delegation are deeply impressed by the hardworking people and affluent society in the ROC. The achievements made by the people in Taiwan are by no means incidental and the ROC can be a model for Central American nations to emulate, President Alvarado points out.
President Alvarado also reiterates that Panama will continue to give her full support to the ROC in the international society.
During the meeting, President Lee reaffirms that the ROC is willing to assist Panama in her national development. He asks Dr. Alvarado to convey his best regards to President Balladares and express his appreciation to Madame Balladares for coming to Taipei to attend his inauguration ceremony in the past May.