ROC President Ma Ying-jeou will travel to Panama and El Salvador on a seven-day visit commencing June 29, according to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Shen-yeaw Ko.

“Ma is leading a delegation comprising government officials and private sector representatives to the July 1 inauguration of Panama President-elect Juan Carlos Varela and Vice President-elect Isabel Saint Malo de Alvarado,” Ko said June 12.

The president’s trip to Panama is at the invitation of that country’s incumbent President Ricardo Martinelli. It will be his 10th overseas visit since taking office in May 2008 and represents the success of government efforts in furthering bilateral ties with ROC diplomatic allies, according to Ko.

Ma will also take up a similar invitation extended by El Salvador President Salvador Sanchez Ceren, whose June 1 swearing-in was attended by Premier Jiang Yi-huah.

During the visit, Ko said the president will exchange views with heads of state and high-ranking government officials on bilateral ties, international affairs and issues of mutual concern.

Ma and the presidential delegation are scheduled to return July 5 to Taiwan.