JAVNI VLADNI POZIV K TESNEJŠEM ODNOSU MED TAJVANOM IN SLOVENIJO

Ma calls for closer Taiwan-Slovenia ties

• Publication Date：02/15/2011
• Source： Taiwan Today

ROC President Ma Ying-jeou said he aims to further strengthen relations between Taiwan and Slovenia following the Balkan nation’s recent granting of visa-free entry to ROC nationals. “Even though the two countries are far apart geographically, both respect human rights, democracy and freedom,” Ma said Feb. 15. “Bilateral relations are bound to soar.”

The president made the remarks while receiving Slovenia’s former Prime Minister Janez Jansa at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. Ma said Jansa’s four-year term in office, which ended in 2008, saw the Slovenian leader work tirelessly to promote friendship between the two nations. “Last year, the University of Ljubljana set up a Taiwan Research Center, which is the first of its kind in the Balkans,” Ma said.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the center was established to promote Taiwan studies in Slovenia and provide incentives for local students to pursue degree programs in the ROC. Jansa, who helped found the Slovenia-Taiwan Friendship Association, was joined by parliamentarian Mihael Brejc on his six-day visit to Taiwan that wrapped up Feb. 19. (ML-JSM)