August 22, 2017
No.141
Former President of Hungary Pál Schmitt visited Taiwan from August 18 to 21 to attend the opening ceremony of the Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade and related activities at the invitation of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
The former Hungarian president took the opportunity to facilitate bilateral sports exchanges, as well as gain a better understanding of the latest political, economic, social, and cultural developments in Taiwan, so as to help boost bilateral ties between Hungary and Taiwan.
During his stay, President Schmitt called on President of the Legislative Yuan Su Jia-chyuan, Deputy Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council Lin Cheng-yi, and Vice Chairman of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council Chuang Suo-Hang. He also attended banquets held in his honor by President Su, member of the International Olympic Committee Wu Ching-kuo, and President of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee Lin Hong-dow. In addition to attending the opening ceremony of the games, President Schmitt watched the fencing competition and met with the Hungarian team. He also visited sites of cultural and economic interest, such as the National Palace Museum and Taipei 101.
President Schmitt is currently a member of the International Olympic Committee, and Honorary President of both the Hungarian Olympic Committee and Paralympic Committee. Before becoming the Hungarian president, he served as the Speaker of the Hungarian Assembly, as well as Hungarian Ambassador to Switzerland, Spain, and Andorra. He was also Vice President of the International Olympic Committee, a Member of the European Parliament, and Vice President of the European Parliament.
Taiwan and Hungary have enjoyed frequent interactions in recent years, and signed a series of agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation, a youth working holiday agreement, and an avoidance of double taxation agreement. MOFA will continue to build on this solid foundation by promoting cooperation and exchanges with Hungary in a variety of areas. (E)