President Tsai meets Dan-Viggo Bertgun, President of World Veterans Federation
During a meeting on the afternoon of September 5 with Mr. Dan-Viggo Bertgun, President of World Veterans Federation (WVF), President Tsai Ing-wen stated that military personnel, who dedicate their youth to protecting national security and promoting social progress, should be afforded proper and comprehensive care. A nation is responsible for caring for its military, she said, adding that as commander-in-chief, it is also her duty.
President Tsai stated that the WVF Standing Committee on Asia and the Pacific is holding its annual meeting in Taiwan this year, and that it's a pleasure to welcome the visitors attending that event to the Presidential Office.
The president noted that the United Nations has designated the WVF as a Peace Messenger because the organization and its regional standing committees have long fought for the rights of military veterans and war victims, and are devoted to global peace. She then expressed her utmost respect for the visitors' efforts and goals. Our country's Veteran Affairs Council and the Veterans Association of the Republic of China are both WVF members, she mentioned, saying that Taiwan is honored to contribute time and effort to veterans' issues.
President Tsai stated that military personnel dedicate their youth to protecting national security and promoting social progress. When they retire, the president said, they should be afforded proper and comprehensive care. So in promoting Taiwan's recent pension reforms, the administration emphasized the special nature of military service, and the need to design an independent pension system. The government will make reference to what other countries—especially the United States—have done, and encourage long-term retention programs.
The president also pledged to set minimum pension standards that guarantee the basic quality of life for military veterans. Our military pension reform plan, she said, is gradually taking shape, and when programs are completed, the Veterans Affairs Council and the Ministry of National Defense will explain them to the public.
President Tsai stressed that a nation is responsible for caring for its military. As commander-in-chief of the armed forces, she said that it is her duty. And "I will do absolutely everything I can," the president emphasized.
In closing, President Tsai again welcomed the guests to Taiwan. She said that in addition to exchanges during their annual meeting, the visitors had visited veterans' homes, and planned to visit a vocational training center, all of which were well worth seeing. Going forward, the president stated, we expect to develop more topics for cooperation with veterans groups around the world through multi-lateral communication and exchanges.
The group was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Minister of the Veterans Affairs Council Lee Hsiang-jow (李翔宙) and Mr. Frank Kao (高仲源), President of the Veterans Association of the Republic of China.