When meeting with Chairman Graham Watson of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) on June 20 at the Office of the President, President Chen Shui-bian thanked the European Parliament (EP) for its friendliness and support to Taiwan, including showing disapproval to China's passage of the Anti-Separation Law, asking the EU countries not to lift the arms embargo against China, supporting Taiwan's bid to participate in the World Health Assembly, and expressing concerns over the stability of the Taiwan Strait.
The president was also grateful to EP President Pat Cox's invitation of March 2003, although his visit to the EP at the time could not be smoothly arranged.
In the meeting, the president also thanked Chairman Watson in person for facilitating the first lady's visit to Strasbourg, France to receive the International Prize for Freedom on his behalf in 2001.
Chairman Watson is currently attending the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum in Taipei. His visit to the Office of the President was accompanied by Taiwan's Vice Foreign Minister Chang Siao-yue. Secretary-General to the President Mark Chen was also present in the meeting.