Deputy Foreign Minister François Chih-chung Wu hosted a reception for legislative staff from seven European countries July 8 in Taipei City as part of its European Valued Important Partnership initiative.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegates hail from Kosovo, North Macedonia, Romania, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and the U.K. They are in Taiwan July 6-15 at the ministry’s invitation.
Wu said the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war underscores the threat authoritarian regimes pose to global democracy. It is important for Taiwan and Europe to learn from each other in order to jointly safeguard their shared interests and values, he added.
The deputy minister said MOFA welcomes transits of the Taiwan Strait by military vessels from France, Germany, the Netherlands and the U.K. to defend freedom of navigation in the region. He called on the global community to acknowledge that U.N. Resolution 2758 does not address Taiwan and urged the delegates to encourage their governments and parliaments to continue speaking up for Taiwan and backing the country’s meaningful global participation.
In response, Harry Warren, a senior parliamentary researcher at the office of British Member of Parliament Alicia Kearns, said that while the delegates hail from different countries, they all share the same belief in freedom and democracy. He expressed appreciation for the hospitality of the Taiwan people, adding that he will continue to support Taiwan-Europe cooperation and exchanges after returning home.
Launched by the ministry in 2022, the EVIP initiative aims to foster closer ties with European nations by inviting young European political leaders and other influential figures to Taiwan for a two-week exchange program. (SFC-E)
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