President Chen Shui-bian on October 17 met with the leader of the Danish People's Party Pia Kjaersgaard and her husband at the Presidential Office. Ms. Kjaersgaard is also the head of the Danish parliament's Taiwan Friendship Association. On behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), President Chen extended a cordial welcome and gratitude to Ms. Kjaersgaard, who is making her fifth visit to Taiwan, for her staunch support for Taiwan.
President Chen also thanked Ms. Kjaersgaard for speaking on behalf of Taiwan many times, calling for Demark to recognize Taiwan and for pushing to invite President Chen to visit Demark. She has also filed many motions and written letters supporting Taiwan's entry into the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) so that Taiwan can have a seat in the international community and make even more contributions to the world.
President Chen said thanks to the outstanding leadership of Ms. Kjaersgaard, the Danish People's Party had the EU policy spokesman interpellate the Danish foreign minister and health minister on six occasions, ultimately causing Denmark to agree to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in the WHO. In April 2004, the chairman of the Danish parliament's Foreign Policy Committee, Jens Hald Madsen, hosted a video conference on Taiwan issues that included representatives of five Scandinavian countries. President Chen said he was privileged to be able to participate in the conference. In addition to the successful meeting, Chairman Madsen also announced the formal establishment of the Danish parliament's Taiwan Friendship Association. The president said he has long followed the stances taken by the association and the support for Taiwan among its members. He expressed his admiration for the association speaking up on behalf of Taiwan.
The president also said that the joint efforts of the two countries have helped to foster strong growth in bilateral trade as well as commercial cooperation. At least 25 Danish companies have made investments in Taiwan. In addition, well-known Taiwan investors in Denmark include the Hon Hai Group and ZyXEL Communications. Over the past 10 years, bilateral trade has more than doubled, with trade last year reaching US$1 billion. President Chen said what pleased him even more was that the two nations in August of 2005 finished negotiating and signed an agreement to prevent double taxation.
President Chen said he hopes that the fifth visit by Ms. Kjaersgaard in conjunction with the existing foundation between the two countries will underpin even stronger trade and commercial ties, along with other exchanges.
Ms. Kjaersgaard said that she has witnessed the progress of Taiwan in many areas over the years and that Taiwan is a global success story in the development of a democratic society. She said the Danish People's Party is a strong friend of Taiwan and will do all it can to support Taiwan. She has on three occasions represented Denmark in attending the UN General Assembly and has spoken out each time advocating membership for Taiwan in the world body. Ms. Kjaersgaard guaranteed President Chen that she will continue to speak up for Taiwan the next time she visits the UN. She will also continue to promote topics of concern to Taiwan in the Danish parliament and will fully support Taiwan in that body.