President Chen Shui-bian on the morning of January 11 conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon on Mr. Georg Jarzembowski, Chairman of the European Parliament's Taiwan Friendship Group. Presented to Mr. Jarzembowski on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), President Chen said the honor represents the efforts and outstanding contributions made by Mr. Jarzembowski to the promotion of friendly relations between Taiwan and the European Parliament.
Making remarks upon the acceptance of the honor, Mr. Jarzembowski said that since beginning to serve as the chairman of the Taiwan Friendship Group in 1999, he has done his utmost to seek that the world community recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation and to promote relations between Taiwan and the European Parliament. Receiving the honor conferred by President Chen represents that his many years of work have not gone unnoticed by the government and people of Taiwan. For this, he expressed his deepest gratitude, he said.
Mr. Jarzembowski also said that there have been several milestones in relations between Taiwan and the European Parliament in recent years. First, President Chen was elected president in 2000 representing the opposition party. In 2004, the president won election to a second term in office. Secondly, Taiwan joined the World Trade Organization in 2002. One year later, the European Commission established the European Economic and Trade Office in Taipei and also recognized Taiwan's representative office in the EU in Brussels. He stressed that the European Parliament supports active participation of Taiwan's 23 million people in the international community and believes that Taiwan has the right to join the United Nations and have its own seat in the world body.
Mr. Jarzembowski lauded the period during which President Chen has presided over Taiwan. He said Taiwan has realized a multi-party political system, setting a model for East Asia. President Chen has also displayed that Taiwan is willing to engage in dialogue with China. This dialogue, however, can only occur amid a foundation of multi-party politics, democracy and human rights on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The chairman of the Taiwan Friendship Group said that while it may be difficult to realize this dream in the short term, it is important to hold this dream close and to pursue it. There will be some day that one's dream will be realized, he said.
During discussions between the two, President Chen expressed his appreciation for the friendship and support provided to Taiwan by the European Parliament. He pointed out that the body has expressed its opposition to the lifting of a ban on arms sales among European nations to China, has supported Taiwan's entry into the World Health Organization, has expressed its concern over developments in the Taiwan Strait, and has urged China to withdraw missiles in southeast China that are aimed at Taiwan. The president said he believes that Taiwan enjoys the support of the European Parliament because the people of Taiwan and Europe share the universal values of democracy, freedom and human rights. He also stressed that an objective during his terms as president has been to enable Taiwan to become a "normal" democracy. The president said he is delighted that Mr. Jarzembowski is visiting Taiwan on the eve of legislative elections and that he will witness Taiwan's accomplishment in having the military serving the nation rather than a political party. In addition, Mr. Jarzembowski will see Taiwan hold a referendum, something that was taboo in the past, but that is now becoming a regular part of the democratic process in the lives of people here.