President Tsai meets delegation from Luxembourg Parliament
On the morning of October 28, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation from the Luxembourg Parliament. She mentioned that this past April, for the first time ever, the European Parliament-Taiwan Friendship Group Chair sent a joint letter with the Chairs of the Taiwan Friendship Groups of the British, French, and German parliaments to the World Health Organization (WHO) in support of our participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA). And earlier this month, she noted, the Dutch Parliament for the first time also passed a resolution supporting Taiwan's participation. The president thanked Luxembourg, the European Union and many other nations for supporting our international participation. She also expressed hope that her guests will continue to exert their influence to improve Taiwan-Luxembourg relations and offer us greater support on the international stage.
A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows:
This is the first time since taking office that I have had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from Luxembourg. I am very pleased to meet with you today, so that we can talk about how to spur greater exchanges between Luxembourg and Taiwan.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of Taiwan. Member of the Parliament Viviane Reding is an old friend of Taiwan. For more than 20 years, she has lent support to Taiwan by calling for our admission to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (the predecessor of the World Trade Organization), calling on the European Union to establish a representative office in Taiwan, and helping us gain admission to the Schengen Visa waiver program. Christian Social People's Party President Frank Engel, meanwhile, shepherded through the passage of many resolutions friendly to Taiwan while a member of the European Parliament.
Cooperative ties between Taiwan and Luxembourg have continued to grow over the past three years. We have signed cooperative agreements or memoranda of understanding on education, transportation, and working holidays. I hope that our cooperation will continue to grow deeper and broader so that we can accomplish more together.
Taiwan, Luxembourg and the European Union all share the values of democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights. While Taiwan remains unable to participate in the WHA, the support we enjoy from the international community, including Europe, is unprecedented.
In April, for the first time ever, the European Parliament-Taiwan Friendship Group Chair sent a joint letter with the Chairs of the Taiwan Friendship Groups of the British, French, and German parliaments to the WHO in support of our participation in the WHA. Members of the parliaments of the Baltic States as well as the Czech Republic also spoke out for Taiwan.
And earlier this month, the Dutch Parliament for the first time passed a resolution supporting Taiwan's participation. These firsts are all key breakthroughs and show that Taiwan's achievements have been recognized and supported internationally.
Taiwan is willing and able to do more for the world. We are grateful for the support of our friends, and hope that all of you here will continue to exert your influence to improve ties between our nations, and that you will offer us greater support on the international stage.
Once again, I welcome you all and wish you a fruitful stay.
Also in the delegation were Luxembourg Members of the Parliament Félix Eischen and Paul Galles.