President Chen Shui-bian on the afternoon of March 7 met with Dirk Sterckx, Chairman of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with the People's Republic of China. Meeting at the Presidential Office, President Chen extended a warm welcome and appreciation to Mr. Sterckx on behalf of the government and 23 million people of the ROC (Taiwan).
President Chen noted that since becoming the head of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with the People's Republic of China in September 2004, Mr. Sterckx has visited China on four occasions. This, however, is his first visit to Taiwan. The president said he hopes Mr. Sterckx will use this opportunity to see first hand the state of development on this side of the Taiwan Strait. President Chen said he believes that having a better understanding of the situation will be extremely valuable to the European Parliament in promoting cross-strait relations. The president mentioned that March 14 will mark the third anniversary of the passage of the Anti-separation Law by China's National People's Congress. Just about one week later, Taiwan on March 22 will hold its fourth direct presidential election and its third national referendum. President Chen said he is pleased to have this opportunity to meet with Mr. Sterckx to exchange opinions on cross-strait topics.
The president also expounded on the meaning of the referendums to be held soon that revolve around the questions of whether Taiwan should seek to enter the United Nations (UN) under the name "Taiwan" and whether Taiwan should seek to return to the UN using the ROC national moniker. The president stressed that the referendum on whether Taiwan should enter the UN under the name "Taiwan" is not a referendum on de jure Taiwan independence. Rather, the hope is that the referendum will provide a democratic means for the people of Taiwan to express their voice and hopes to the entire world of their desire to become part of the UN family.
President Chen said the European Parliament has passed many resolutions that have been friendly to Taiwan. He cited examples such as opposition to China's passage of the Anti-separation Law, opposition to the lifting of a European Union ban on arms sales to China, calling on China to withdraw the ballistic missiles deployed along its southeastern coast that are aimed at Taiwan, supporting Taiwan to be an observer in the World Health Assembly and calling for issues between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to be resolved peacefully through dialogue. President Chen expressed his appreciation and admiration for the European Parliament for the friendly stance it has taken toward Taiwan. The president also noted that Mr. Sterckx is the former leader of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats, which is a member of Liberal International. This is a grouping that Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party also belongs to. As a result, the two parties have had frequent exchanges. Liberal International in 2001 awarded President Chen its Prize for Freedom. The president said that this award recognized the pursuit of freedom and democracy by the 23 million people of Taiwan.
Mr. Sterckx expressed his appreciation to President Chen for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with him. He said that Taiwan's course of democratization shows that democracy is possible in a Chinese society. Mr. Sterckx said the European Union and Taiwan share the common values of freedom of the press and rule of law. He also expressed his hopes for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Mr. Sterckx said this trip to Taiwan has enabled him to see first hand Taiwan's democratic development and witness the enormous economic and development achievements of Taiwan.