President Chen Shui-bian on November 20, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), conferred an Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon on Mr. Graham Watson, Chairman of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Parliament. The honor is in recognition of Chairman Watson's efforts and contributions in the European Parliament to forward bills favorable to Taiwan.
President Chen said that Chairman Watson has long led the Liberal Democrats in promoting increased substantive and friendly relations between European nations and Taiwan. Chairman Watson has also on many occasions done his utmost to support bills friendly to Taiwan. The president said that he represents the government and 23 million people of Taiwan in expressing the highest admiration and gratitude to Chairman Watson. He added that there is absolutely no doubt that Chairman Watson deserves the honor.
President Chen said that in 2001, he received the International Freedom Award from Liberal International. The president noted that his wife, First Lady Wu Shu-jen, traveled to the European Parliament on his behalf to accept the award. He also thanked Chairman Watson for his consistent support and assistance. In addition, thanks to the efforts of Chairman Watson and the Liberal Democrat caucus, the president of the European Parliament at the time, Patrick Cox, in 2003 formally sent an invitation to President Chen, hoping that he would make a visit to the European Parliament. Even though President Chen ultimately was unable to make the trip, the president expressed his appreciation to Chairman Watson and the warm invitation from former Parliament President Cox.
President Chen also expressed his appreciation to Chairman Watson and members of the European Parliament for continuously paying attention to stability in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, the European Parliament has many times passed resolutions calling for resolving any disputes in the Taiwan Strait in a peaceful manner. Chairman Watson has especially been in the forefront in promoting Taiwan's application to enter the United Nations under the name "Taiwan." He has also advocated such in the European Parliament and started a petition campaign among parliament members. At present, nearly 90 members of parliament have supported the petition. Moreover, Chairman Watson in 2006 also led a movement, which was spearheaded by the Liberal Democrat caucus supporting a resolution seeking observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Assembly (WHA). The resolution also called for meaningful participation for Taiwan in the World Health Organization (WHO). Chairman Watson also participated in a video meeting that featured a dialogue between President Chen and members of the European Parliament that marked the 20th anniversary of the lifting of martial law on Taiwan. This signifies Chairman Watson's staunch friendship to and support for Taiwan. In recent years, the European Parliament has passed several resolutions opposing the Anti-separation Law that was legislated by China. The parliament has also expressed its opposition to the lifting of a European arms embargo against China, while stating its hope that dialogue should be used to resolve any disputes and that the will of the Taiwan people should be respected in the resolution of the Taiwan Strait issue. President Chen said that these are the achievements from the joint cooperation between Chairman Watson and the members of the Liberal Democrat caucus in the European Parliament. He once again expressed his thanks for these efforts.
In accepting the honor, Chairman Watson said that he is extremely proud to receive the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon. He said that Taiwan is a peace-loving, free and prosperous democratic nation. He also noted how Taiwan generously provides assistance to many nations that are less fortunate. However, Taiwan is unable to enjoy the rights of a citizen of the world. Now is the time that the international community should recognize Taiwan's achievements and restore the rights of the people of Taiwan. He said he is confident that in the future, the world will see a peace-loving phoenix extend its wings and hopes that he is able to work with Taiwan to achieve this goal.