November 26, 2018
No.305
A six-member delegation from Belgium’s Federal and Regional Parliaments led by Maxime Prévot, Member of the General Affairs and International Relations Committee of the Walloon Parliament, is visiting Taiwan from November 26 to 30 at the invitation of the government of the Republic of China （Taiwan）. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs （MOFA） welcomes their visit.
The purpose of the delegation’s visit is to gain a better understanding of Taiwan’s policies with regard to foreign affairs, cross-strait relations, transportation, and the economy and trade, as well as recent developments in these areas. The delegation thereby seeks to further deepen exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and Belgium.
During their stay, the delegation will meet with Vice President Chen Chien-jen and Legislative Yuan President Su Jia-chyuan and call at MOFA, the National Development Council and the Mainland Affairs Council. The delegates will also visit institutes and sites of economic and cultural interest such as the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation and National Palace Museum.
In addition to Maxime Prévot, the delegation consists of Karim Van Overmeire, Member of the Flemish Parliament; Jean-Charles Luperto, Member of the Walloon Parliament; as well as Nathalie Muylle, Jef Van den Bergh and Inez De Coninck, Members of the Chamber of Representatives of the Federal Parliament. Except for Nathalie Muylle, all other delegates are visiting Taiwan for the first time.
Taiwan and Belgium maintain close interactions in the areas of economy and trade, culture, education, science and technology, labor affairs and renewable energy. Belgium’s Federal Parliament has previously passed resolutions friendly to Taiwan, supporting the signing of a Bilateral Investment Agreement （BIA） between Taiwan and the European Union and endorsing Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. Belgian enterprises are also actively participating in the construction of offshore wind power installations in Taiwan.
Furthermore, in March this year, Taiwan successfully promoted its cultural heritage in Belgium by presenting a traditional Hakka costume for the Manneken Pis statue in Brussels. And in June, Taiwanese compatriots in Belgium organized the Walk with Taiwan event, which highlighted their unity and commitment and raised Taiwan’s profile in Belgium. Based on shared values of democracy and freedom, Taiwan and Belgium will continue to deepen and broaden substantive cooperation and further upgrade bilateral relations.（E）