July 17, 2018
No.173
A cross-party delegation led by Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Frank Engel is visiting Taiwan from July 14 to 20 at the invitation of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warmly welcomes the visit of the delegates.
During their stay in Taiwan, the delegation members will call on President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President of the Legislative Yuan Tsai Chi-chang, and call at government agencies such as the National Security Council and Mainland Affairs Council. The delegates will also attend a luncheon hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and visit sites of cultural and economic interest such as the National Palace Museum. The purpose of their visit is to gain a better understanding of Taiwan’s economic and political development, relations across the Taiwan Strait, and the security situation in the Asia-Pacific, so as to deepen exchanges between Taiwan and the European Union.
In addition to MEP Engel of the European People’s Party, who serves on the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, the other members of the delegation are MEP Reinhard Bütikofer of the Greens/European Free Alliance, who serves on the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy; MEP Herbert Dorfmann of the European People’s Party, who serves on the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development; MEP Ingeborg Grässle of the European People’s Party, who chairs the Committee on Budgetary Control; MEP Péter Niedermüller of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, who serves on the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs; and Mr. Michael Hahn, who is a policy advisor to the European People’s Party.
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on May 30, 2018, calling on the European Commission to expedite preparations to launch negotiations with Taiwan on a bilateral investment agreement. Over the years, the European Parliament has passed numerous resolutions favorable to Taiwan, supporting the EU in granting visa waivers to Taiwan nationals for the Schengen Area and endorsing Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. MOFA appreciates the European Parliament’s longstanding friendship and looks forward to its continued support for further strengthening Taiwan-EU relations. (E)