Minister of Culture Lee Yung-te met with Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media Claudia Roth June 14 in Berlin, and the two sides exchanged views on topics spanning freedom, democracy, human rights and transitional justice.
Lee said despite facing authoritarian expansion, Taiwan remains committed to defending its democratic way of life and broadening its connection with the free world. The meeting is a milestone in bilateral cultural exchanges, he said, adding that the government looks forward to deepening two-way ties.
Roth praised Taiwan for its courage in embracing democracy on the front lines of defense against dictatorship and urged democratic countries throughout the world to stand in unity with Taiwan.
The German minister also commended Taiwan for leading Asia in legalizing same-sex marriage in 2019 and invited Taiwan to take part in the annual Cologne Pride parade set to take place July 3. It is hoped that Taiwan will continue to participate in the film festivals in Berlin and Munich to bring its rich and diverse culture to a German audience, she added.
The previous day Lee visited Humboldt Forum, a museum of non-European art, and met with Daniela Kluckert, parliamentary state secretary to the Federal Minister for Digital and Transport. He also met with renowned democracy activist Evelyn Zupke and Dieter Jaenicke, a former director of Tanzmesse NRW, an important international networking event for contemporary dance held in Dusseldorf.
Lee’s eight-day stay in Europe also includes a visit to the Czech Republic and the presentation of the annual Taiwan-France Cultural Award in Paris. (SFC-E)
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