President Tsai meets Head of European Economic and Trade Office Filip Grzegorzewski
On the afternoon of September 27, President Tsai In-wen met with Mr. Filip Grzegorzewski, new Head of the European Economic and Trade Office (EETO). She stated that Taiwan is willing and able to contribute to the international community and hopes to spur negotiations for a bilateral investment agreement. She also expressed hope that the EU will continue to speak up for Taiwan at international venues, so that we can jointly contribute to regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
A translation of the president's remarks follows:
I want to welcome Mr. Filip Grzegorzewski to Taiwan as you take up the important role of Head of the EETO. I trust that working together, we will bring Taiwan and the EU even closer.
Over the past few years, our bilateral relations have steadily grown stronger. As we have reached new highs in bilateral trade and investment, Taiwan sincerely hopes to spur negotiations for a bilateral investment agreement (BIA). I hope that Mr. Grzegorzewski will continue our work with the EETO over the past few years to promote a BIA, and foster closer ties between Taiwan and the EU.
We have also deepened our dialogue and cooperation on values such as human rights, freedom, and democracy. Taiwan and the EU began holding annual human rights and labor consultations last year. We have also organized many important events exploring gender equality, LGBTI rights, and climate change, a testament to our commitment and contributions to the values we share.
I want to reiterate that Taiwan is willing and able to contribute to the international community. We will never abandon our determination to participate in or contribute to international affairs, even in the face of China's suppression. We hope that as a like-minded partner of Taiwan, the EU will continue to speak up for us at international venues, so that we can jointly contribute to regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
Mr. Grzegorzewski has a great deal of experience in Asian affairs, and is quite familiar with Taiwan-EU relations and cross-strait issues. We look forward to working together with you to build a stronger bilateral relationship, and I want to wish you success in your new position.
Also present was Thomas Jürgensen, Deputy Head of the EETO.