This was confirmed by Press Secretary Fermin Meriang in a phone interview
“There was an invitation from Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou to grace the occasion,” he disclosed.
“Being a friend of Taiwan and seeing the opportunity to further promote our country to the outside world, our president gladly accepted the invitation,” he added.
Before being elected as president of Palau in 2008, Toribiong has previously served as ambassador to Taiwan.
Meriang revealed that the President and his entourage left for Taiwan on Tuesday.
He said the President was joined on the trip by First Lady Valeria, Queen Bilung Salii and special assistant Ngerai Tmetuchl.
Meriang disclosed that the Palau delegation will be visiting the sites of the expo and be the guest of honor at the opening on Saturday.
He said they will be gracing the occasion with officials and representatives from other countries in the world, including many from the Pacific region.
The press secretary said that the President and his group may also pay a courtesy call to Taiwan President Ma and visit other cities there before returning to Palau on Saturday.
The flora expo is a major event held in Taiwan as part of its centenary celebrations.
The horticultural event will be spread over four site areas – Fine Arts Park, Yuanshan Park, Dajia Riverside Park and Xinsheng Park.
The expo features an array of floral delights, featuring numerous exhibition lots with flower shows from around the world.
At least 31 countries have registered to showcase their horticulture and landscaping skills at the said international floral fair. These countries include the United States, Greece, Jordan, Oman, Philippines and Netherlands.
The expo runs from November 6, 2010 to April 25, 2011, it was learned.
//
