From left to right:  Jose Lobo, Vice President of Honduras, Enrique Geyer, President of Nicaragua, Francisco Flores President of El Salvador, Said Musa Prime Minister of Belize, Chen Shui-bian, President Of Taiwan, Abel Pacheco, President of Costa Rica, Alfonso Cabrera, President Of Guatemala, Mireya Moscoso, President of Panama and Sergio Grullon, President of the Dominican Republic stand together for a group photo at the Fourth Meeting of the Heads of States and Governments of Taiwan, Central America and the Dominican Republic Thursday morning.

Top government officials were all smiles yesterday evening after Taiwan had signed its first ever free-trade agreement and won backing from the leaders of the eight nations for its bid to join international organizations.

The Latin American leaders pledged in particular to support Taiwan's bid to enter the World Health Organization in a joint communique signed at the end of the one-day "Fourth Summit of the Heads of States and Governments of the R.O.C., Central America, and the Dominican Republic."

The joint communiqué embraced increased economic cooperation between Taiwan and Central America through the regional cooperation organization Sistema de la Integracion Centroamericana (or System of Central American Integration), and called for the R.O.C. to be admitted into the organization as a full member.

Chen saw great potential for regional cooperation, saying that as regional integration allowed for the freer flow of goods and services, the Central American economic bloc would become a powerful force to be reckoned with, on a par with the European Union and Asia-Pacific economic bodies.

Taiwan could also become a gateway into the Asian market for its Central American allies, contributing further to the region's economic development and prosperity, Chen told the conference, which is held biannually with the leaders of Taiwan, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, the Dominican Republic and Belize.

President Alfonso Antonio Portillo of Guatemala voiced his support for Taiwan's full involvement in the international community.

"We are very much willing to help Taiwan to participate in the U.N. and WHO... It is important for the smaller countries to work together, because in unity we are much stronger.

"With a common strategy and combining our strength together, we can make the world notice and recognize your country," Guatemala's president said.

"Taiwan's efforts in transforming itself into a democracy and an economic power are well-known to everyone. You are a good model for the Central American countries, and we can learn a lot from you," the Guatemalan leader added.

In the joint communiqué, Taiwan's government also promised to boost bilateral trade and encourage domestic businesses to invest in the allied countries in the region. In addition, Taiwan agreed to actively participate in the region's foreign affairs and anti-terrorism initiatives, and to help promote programs on environmental protection and marine resource conservation.

Said Musa, Belize's prime minister, expressed his appreciation for the contributions Taiwan had already made.

"Thanks to the generous contribution (of Taiwan), Central America has been able to face the challenges that threaten our democratic way of life, in particular poverty alleviation programs," he told the conference.

In an address opening the summit yesterday morning, President Chen outlined his vision for Central American integration.

"We are more than willing to work with our Central American allies in boosting democracy, prosperity, peace and equitable distribution of wealth in the region," he said.

This concept, Chen said, was also the basis for improving cross-strait ties. Political disputes between Taiwan and China could be resolved through increased economic and cultural exchanges and integration, which would bring peace, democracy, and prosperity on both sides of the strait, the president asserted.

Chen also said that while Taiwan had diligently developed its economy and carried out democratic reforms, the country had also spared no efforts in fulfilling it obligations as a member of the global community.

Through its democratic reforms, human rights protection, and active participation in international humanitarian relief programs and the global anti-terrorist campaign, Chen said Taiwan has received ever-increasing world recognition. Countries around the world can no longer ignore Taiwan's existence and must face up to its presence in the international community.

The president took advantage of yesterday's occasion to thank the Central American and Caribbean diplomatic allies for their firm support for Taiwan's cause in the international community over the years.

"We appreciate your unswerving support for our bid to join major international organizations, including the U.N. and the WHO," the president said.

Noting that the outbreak of SARS earlier this year highlighted the importance of international cooperation in disease control and prevention, Chen said Taiwan's bid to join the WHO had received more sympathy and support than ever before.