President Lai Ching-te received a senior delegation from U.S. think tank Atlantic Council at the Presidential Office June 18 in Taipei City, pledging to actively strengthen Taiwan’s partnerships with like-minded countries through values-based diplomacy to promote democracy, peace and prosperity while enhancing the welfare of the people.
The group comprises former Latvian President Egils Levits, the council’s President and CEO Frederick Kempe, former Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Tomáš Petříček and former Director of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency Scott D. Berrier.
Taiwan, the U.S., Latvia and the Czech Republic all value freedom and democracy and face the challenge of authoritarian expansion, Lai said, adding that democracies must work together to safeguard global peace and stability.
According to Lai, Taiwan, the U.S. and Europe are important economic and trade partners. The government is committed to continuing to develop and diversify their cooperation and exchanges through mechanisms like the Taiwan-U.S. Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue, the Taiwan-U.S. Initiative on 21st-Century Trade and the Taiwan-EU Trade and Investment Dialogue, he added.
In response, Levits praised Taiwan as among the world’s top 10 countries by the quality of its democracy. Citing his belief in militant democracy, he said the principle of self-defense should be strengthened and adapted to new threats, especially those made through cognitive, information and hybrid warfare.
Following his remarks, Kempe expressed agreement with concepts in Lai’s inaugural address that named Taiwan a global beacon for democracy. He added that the delegation was a symbol of transatlantic support for the country’s democracy.
Kempe additionally quoted from Lai’s speech saying that China’s military action and gray-zone coercion tactics are considered the greatest strategic challenges to global peace and stability, stating that a growing intensity in such activities over the past 18 months must be addressed and deterred. He added that he believes Taiwan’s democracy and prosperity will continue to grow under Lai’s leadership. (YCH-E)
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