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On the morning of December 6, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation of members of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland (lower house of parliament) led by Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group Chair Waldemar Andzel. Noting that Taiwan, Poland, and Ukraine all stand on the frontlines of authoritarian expansion, President Tsai said that the people of Taiwan strongly identify with Ukraine in its determination to defend democracy and freedom, and stated that we stand alongside Poland in support of Ukraine through our donations of funds and equipment. She also observed that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Taipei Representative Office in Poland, and expressed hope that Taiwan and Poland can continue to strengthen our cooperation on all fronts, jointly bolstering solidarity among fellow democracies.
A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows:
I am delighted to welcome Chair Andzel and the members of the Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group to Taiwan. Your delegation, which includes three vice chairs from across party lines as well as three other members of parliament, is a testament to your staunch support for Taiwan. I sincerely welcome you all on behalf of the Taiwanese people.
Taiwan and Poland have both experienced authoritarian rule and the transition to democracy. As a result, we both understand very well that democracy does not come easy, and we should actively cooperate with each other to defend our democracy and freedom.
During the pandemic, Taiwan and Poland supported each other, together overcoming the challenges of COVID-19. I would like to offer special thanks to Chair Andzel and the members of the Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group for facilitating Poland's donation of 400,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Taiwan. At that time, when the global pandemic was severe, your assistance was invaluable and deeply moved all of us.
Over the past few years, Taiwan and Poland have continued to deepen our collaboration in a range of fields. I would also like to specially thank Chair Andzel for his hard work promoting the Taiwan-Poland double taxation avoidance agreement, which was finally signed after a long delay.
In recent years, Poland has actively supported Taiwan's international participation. This past July, the Polish Senate's Foreign and European Union Affairs Committee and its Social Policy and Health Committee met in joint session and unanimously passed a resolution supporting Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization (WHO). I want to express my profound gratitude for this staunch support.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has seriously affected the global democratic order. As this year's chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Poland is leading international sanctions efforts against Russia and providing humanitarian support to Ukraine. In particular, Poland has already helped resettle 3 million Ukrainian refugees within its borders. This humanitarian spirit of mutual aid and firm solidarity with fellow democratic nations are truly inspiring.
Taiwan, Poland, and Ukraine all stand on the frontlines of authoritarian expansion. The people of Taiwan strongly identify with Ukraine in its determination to defend democracy and freedom, and through our donations of funds and equipment, we stand alongside Poland in support of Ukraine. We look forward to working with like-minded partners to assist Ukraine in its postwar reconstruction, and we hope the people of Ukraine can rebuild their homeland as quickly as possible.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Taipei Representative Office in Poland. Moving forward, I hope that Taiwan and Poland can continue to strengthen our cooperation on all fronts, jointly bolstering solidarity among fellow democracies. Thank you, and I wish you all an enjoyable and fruitful visit.
In his own remarks, Chair Andzel expressed his pleasure at leading the Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group to Taiwan and meeting President Tsai. Reiterating that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Taipei Representative Office in Poland, he said he is happy to see the Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group with 94 members at present, and that he is delighted to further cooperation with Taiwan.
Noting that Poland has been very supportive of Taiwan when it has faced pressure from China, Chair Andzel observed that Poland and Taiwan have much in common, with similar histories and international circumstances. He stated that both of us face serious threats from surrounding countries, with the threats to Poland coming from Russia.
Chair Andzel expressed his thanks to Taiwan for extending a helping hand to Poland during the pandemic by providing face masks and other medical supplies, and said he did his utmost to get the Polish government to assist Taiwan by providing 400,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Chair Andzel noted Taiwan's assistance to Ukraine, and thanked Taiwan for donating more than US$11 million to help Poland resettle Ukrainian refugees.
Chair Andzel mentioned that his group has become a member of Europe's Formosa Club, and is helping to expand Taiwan-Europe relations among members of the European Parliament. He noted that Taiwan and Poland several years ago signed a double taxation avoidance agreement in the hopes of furthering bilateral economic cooperation, and said that Poland welcomes Taiwanese companies, including semiconductor firms, to set up facilities there.
Chair Andzel expressed his belief that Taiwan and Poland are enjoying rapid progress in cultural cooperation efforts, and thanked the people of Taiwan for supporting a series of Chopin recitals in Taiwan by Polish musicians. He noted that bilateral cooperation in higher education is extensive, and expressed hope that more Taiwanese students can come to Poland to study in the future, and vice-versa. He also said he looks forward to progress toward Taiwan-Poland direct flights, which would further advance our mutual exchanges.
Chair Andzel stated that this marks his third trip to Taiwan, which he sees as a beautiful place with friendly people and as an international example of freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights. He thanked President Tsai for taking the time to meet with the Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group, and expressed hope for further exchanges of views on Taiwan-Poland relations.
Also present at the meeting were Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group Vice Chairs Violetta Porowska, Jerzy Polaczek, and Cezary Grabarczyk; Polish parliamentarians Jarosław Krajewski, Dobromir Sośnierz, and Agnieszka Soin; and Polish Office in Taipei Director Cyryl Kozaczewki.
