Ma said, aboard a chartered flight that would take him to Panama and Nicaragua, that he believes Taiwan's diplomatic ties with Honduras will remain unchanged because all of the Central American country's political party factions hold the same views toward maintaining formal relations with Taiwan.

Ma said he believes Taiwan's diplomatic ties with Honduras will remain unchanged because all of the Central American country's political party factions hold the same views toward maintaining formal relations with Taiwan.

Ma also said that he will visit Honduras at an opportune time in the future, noting that it would be a good time to visit the country when the new Honduran president is sworn into office in January 2010.

Ma said that the cancellation of the Honduras leg of the trip in the wake of the overthrown of Honduran President Jose Manuel Zelaya by the Honduran military Sunday was based on considerations that Honduras will not be able to host foreign guests under the circumstances and on hopes that Taiwan's embassy in Honduras can dedicate all of their efforts to taking care of Taiwanese expatriates in the country.

Ma also praised Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and national security authorities for staying on top of the latest developments in Honduras and quickly coming up with contingency plans.

Ma will hold talks with Panamanian President-elect Ricardo Martinelli on the future development of bilateral relations between the two countries during Ma's visit to the Central American country for Martinelli's inauguration.

In an interview with CNA, Ambassador to Panama Simon S.Y. Ko said that President Ma will also attend a state banquet hosted by outgoing Panamanian President Martin Torrijos on June 30 and another one on July 1, the day of the inauguration.

The following day, July 2, Ma is scheduled to address the Panamanian Parliament after the new president takes office, according to Ko.

In addition, President Ma will give interviews to the Panamanian and international media, Ko said.

Ma's itinerary also includes a visit to the Panama Canal, the ROC-Panama Cultural Center in Panama City and the Colon Container Terminal established by Taiwan's Evergreen Group. He will also host a banquet for Taiwan community leaders in the Central American country, Ko added.

Ma, on his second diplomatic tour of Central America this year, is also scheduled to visit Nicaragua.