President Chen Shui-bian on February 8 met with Wilhelm Josef Sebastian, chairman of the German-Taiwan Friendship Group of the German Bundestag, expressing his welcome and gratitude to him and other members of the visiting group. Mr. Sebastian is on a visit to Taiwan with his wife.
President Chen said that members of the visiting group come from different political parties, signifying that support for Taiwan in the German Bundestag transcends political boundaries. He added that the establishment of the German-Taiwan Friendship Group as well as participation by over 50 members of the Bundestag represents a significant level of friendship for Taiwan. President Chen said that on December 16 last year when Premier Su Tseng-chang made a transit stop in Frankfurt, Mr. Sebastian made a special trip from Berlin to meet with him. The president expressed his deep appreciation for this courtesy.
President Chen also thanked the German government and Bundestag for paying attention to the universal right to health for the 23 million residents of Taiwan. Germany has not only expressed its support to extend observer status to Taiwan in the World Health Assembly, but also supports Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization. In addition, in the Bundestag, the Christian Democratic Union, the Christian Socialist Union, the Social Democratic Party and the opposition Free Democratic Party have separately and together raised motions supporting WHA observer status for Taiwan. While Taiwan last year failed in its 10th attempt to gain observer status, President Chen said that the people of Taiwan are still extremely grateful for the resolute support by Germany.
The president said that on January 10 this year when German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with new Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, she expressed Germany has not changed its stance and absolutely does not want any change in the present EU arms embargo against China. President Chen expressed his admiration for Chancellor Merkel's position.
President Chen said that substantive relations between Taiwan and Germany have seen great improvements thanks in part to the efforts by Taiwan Representative to Germany, Shieh Jhy-wey. The president lauded Germany as the world's most important country for trade shows, adding that Taiwan companies regularly participate in Germany's computer, travel, toy, innovation and book fairs. In the Hanover Computer Fair, Taiwan has been the largest overseas participant for the seventh year in a row, with about 800 companies slated to participate this year. President Chen stressed that Germany is Taiwan's most important trading partner in Europe, while one-quarter of Taiwan investment in Europe is in Germany. Meanwhile, Taiwan is Germany's fourth largest trading partner in Asia. Bilateral trade in 2005 exceeded US$11.7 billion, which was a growth of 13% from 2004. The president said he believes there is large room for further growth based on the existing strong foundation between the two.