President Ma Ying-jeou met with Monique Papon, second deputy speaker of the French Senate and chairwoman of the Senate's Taiwan Friendship Group, at the Presidential Office on the morning of July 19. The president, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC, expressed a most cordial welcome and appreciation to Senator Papon on her visit to Taiwan.
The president noted that in addition to her position as second deputy speaker of the Senate, Senator Papon is a member of the culture, education, and communications committee, as well as a member of the European affairs committee. Besides being a political heavyweight in France, she has also been a longstanding friend to the ROC, he said. Also in the delegation was Senator Catherine Tasca, first deputy speaker of the Senate and a member of the foreign affairs and national defense committee and the European affairs committee. Senator Tasca previously served as Minister of Culture, and continues to promote cultural exchanges between Taiwan and France, the president said. Meanwhile, Senators Laurent Béteille, Catherine Procaccia, and Sylvie Goy-Chavent, all of whom play important roles in the Taiwan Friendship Group, also took part in the delegation and have spared no effort in promoting bilateral ties.
In briefing Senator Papon on recent developments in Taiwan, President Ma commented that Taiwan's economy is gradually recovering and is steadily getting back to where it was prior to the financial tsunami. The president also stated that Taiwan and mainland China have signed an Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), and that cross-strait relations have entered a new stage. In addition, he noted that two months ago a representative from Taiwan again attended the World Health Assembly, an achievement which was in part made possible by the many efforts of friends in Europe, including France.
Addressing relations between Taiwan and France, President Ma said that bilateral trade last year was only US$3.2 billion due to the economic downturn, but he hopes that trade this year will return to previous levels. The president added that Taiwan and France have signed 11 agreements, and 56 cooperation projects are currently being carried out. He particularly mentioned cooperation in the area of higher education, pointing to 165 exchange student programs. President Ma said that Taiwan is currently promoting further internationalization of universities here, and expressed his hopes that more French exchange students will come to Taiwan to study.
President Ma stressed that relations between Taiwan and France are developing in a stable manner. In particular, with the signing of the cross-strait ECFA, bilateral relations are poised to become closer, which will be beneficial to peace in the Taiwan Strait. The president said he hopes that other nations friendly to Taiwan will take advantage of this opportunity to further strengthen relations with Taiwan, so that cross-strait peace can benefit the larger international community.
Senator Papon and the members of the delegation were accompanied to the Presidential Office in the morning by Deputy Foreign Minister Lyushun Shen to meet President Ma. Also in attendance was National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Chih-kung Liu.