Former President Tsai Ing-wen called on democracies to collaborate to uphold democracy and jointly address challenges throughout a trip that lasted just over a week.
Tsai made the remarks during a speech at Forum 2000 entitled “Overcoming Authoritarian Threat through Democratic Unity” Oct. 14 in Prague, where she was warmly received by President Petr Pavel of Czechia.
The former president emphasized that Taiwan has displayed a high level of resilience in the face of global pandemic, climate change and authoritarian expansion. During the symposium, Tsai also met with Miloš Vystrčil, Czech Senate president, and Markéta Pekarová Adamová, president of the Chamber of Deputies, to exchange views on bilateral ties.
Tsai then attended an exchange event held by France’s MEDEF International and noted that there is great potential for the two sides in expanding cooperation in new energy, space and the semiconductor industries. At the invitation of Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, member of the French Senate and chair of the body’s Taiwan friendship group, Tsai visited the historical building in Paris Oct. 16.
The former president rounded out her European itinerary with a stop in Brussels Oct. 17. She was welcomed by one of the European Parliament’s vice presidents, Pina Picierno of Italy, and a reception in her honor was hosted by Miriam Lexmann, one of the body’s quaestors.
Lexmann’s welcome speech lauded Tsai’s courage and determination to safeguard freedom in the face of authoritarianism and stressed that European countries are entitled to deepen relations with Taiwan and should not be intervened or restrained.
In response, Tsai voiced appreciation for the European Parliament’s long support for Taiwan and asked that global democracies work to deter China from conducting threatening military exercises. She concluded by urging the agency and EU member states to keep backing Taiwan’s meaningful participation in global bodies and to reinforce the two-way partnership. (POC-E)
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