President Ma Ying-jeou on the morning of December 5 at the Presidential Office met with a visiting delegation of Italian parliamentarians. The president, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), expressed a warm welcome and appreciation to the group of instrumental members in the Italian-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group who have made the long journey to Taiwan.
During the discussions, President Ma expressed his hope that the guests will take advantage of this trip to meet people from different sectors here, thereby enhancing their understanding of the latest development in Taiwan. This will assist them in continuing to promote activities fostering friendship between the two countries after they return to Italy, he said. President Ma added that Taiwan and Italy share an extremely long history of friendship. Italy's commercial sector has a considerable impact on Taiwan and Taiwan has much to learn from Italy in the culture and creativity industries, he said.
Senator Salvo Fleres, on behalf of the delegation, expressed his appreciation to President Ma for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with them. He said that he has had an opportunity to meet with many Taiwan officials and business leaders during this visit to Taiwan. Senator Fleres said he has a deep impression of Taiwan as a beautiful, free and democratic nation. In addition to its economic development, Taiwan possesses political liberty and democracy, he said. The delegation on December 4 visited the Longshan Temple. They said they got a sense for the freedom of religion in Taiwan and they admire the country for this. Senator Fleres also inquired about President Ma's view on the Dalai Lama's recent statement that he is interested in making a visit to Taiwan.
In response, President Ma stressed that the ROC (Taiwan) is a nation that provides freedom of religion, and that the government cordially welcome religious people from throughout the world to Taiwan to engage in religious activities. The president noted the ROC (Taiwan) has always been quite friendly to the Dalai Lama, who has twice visited Taiwan in the past. However, he said, now is not the most appropriate time for the Dalai Lama to visit. When the time is right, the ROC (Taiwan) government will be delighted to welcome him back to Taiwan to partake in religious activities, he said.
Italian Deputy Antonio Razzi and Mrs. Razzi and Deputy Fabio Gava and Mrs. Gava joined Senator Fleres and Mrs. Fleres in comprising the delegation. The group was accompanied to the Presidential Office in the morning by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs David Y. L. Lin to meet with President Ma. Also in attendance was National Security Council Advisor Mignonne M. J. Chan.