Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/03/25
By: Lu Hsin-hui and Y.F. Low

Taipei, March 25 (CNA) President-elect Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) promised Friday to give “priority consideration” to an invitation from Panama for her to attend the inauguration ceremony of the expanded Panama Canal on June 26.

Tsai made the pledge during a meeting with Panama’s ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan), Alfredo Martiz, who visited her at Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) headquarters to deliver the invitation to her in person, the DPP said in a statement.

Martiz told Tsai that the ROC is one of Panama’s oldest diplomatic allies, with the two countries sharing the common values of democracy and freedom, according to the statement.

Martiz said he was extending the invitation to Tsai on behalf of Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela.

In response, Tsai said she appreciated the invitation and pledged that even though the opening ceremony comes just one month after she takes office she would give it “priority consideration.”     [FULL  STORY]