September 18, 2018
No.237
A six-member, cross-group delegation from the European Parliament led by Mr. Ivo Vajgl, Member of the European Parliament and member of its Committee on Foreign Affairs, is visiting Taiwan from September 16 to 21 at the invitation of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warmly welcomes Mr. Vajgl and his delegation.
The purpose of the visit is to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s current policies concerning foreign affairs, national defense, the circular economy and social enterprises, so as to further expand Taiwan-EU cooperation. The members of the delegation will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen and Legislative Yuan President Su Chia-chyuan and call at the National Security Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense and Mainland Affairs Council. Their itinerary also includes visits to the National Palace Museum and other sites of economic and cultural interest.
In addition to Mr. Vajgl, the delegation includes Jozo Radoš, member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; Urmas Paet, member of the Budgets Committee; Tomáš Zdechovský, member of the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee; Tadej Slapnik, State Secretary of Slovenia; and Alexandre Krauss, Senior Policy Advisor to the Alliance for Liberals and Democrats for Europe. With the exception of Mr. Vajgl, all delegation members are visiting Taiwan for the first time.
In recent years, the European Parliament has adopted numerous resolutions expressing support of Taiwan. On September 12, the European Parliament adopted a report on the state of EU-China relations, which called on the EU and its Member States to urge China to refrain from endangering peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and reiterated support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and the launch of negotiations on a bilateral investment agreement with Taiwan. This once again highlighted the friendship and support extended to Taiwan by MEPs across all political groups.
Taiwan-EU cooperation continues to grow closer in many fields. The two sides held their first Human Rights Consultations in Taipei in March this year as well as their fourth Industrial Dialogue in June. Meanwhile, the Taiwan-EU Annual Consultation is now in its 30th year. Taiwan and the EU will continue to build on this excellent foundation to further advance and deepen exchanges and cooperation in all areas. (E)