The visits of legislative delegations from the U.S. and Ireland are sincerely welcomed by the government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said June 27.
According to the MOFA, the nine-member U.S. group led by Rep. Mike Rogers, chair of the House Armed Services Committee, and including Rep. Adam Smith, ranking member of the committee, is the largest congressional delegation to Taiwan in recent years.
During their June 27-29 stay, the lawmakers will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen and attend a banquet hosted by Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, the MOFA said, adding that the visit represents the U.S. Congress’ firm support for Taiwan and commitment to preserving peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
Arriving the same day and staying until July 1, the five-member bipartisan Irish delegation led by John McGuinness, chair of the Ireland-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Society, is set to meet with Legislative Yuan Vice President Tsai Chi-chang, the ministry said. The group will also call at the MOFA, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Digital Affairs, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Institute for National Defense and Security Research to discuss issues ranging from two-way ties, economic resilience and current geopolitical tensions, it added.
The MOFA thanked McGuinness and his delegation for staunchly supporting Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the World Health Assembly, the World Health Organization’s decision-making body, and other international organizations.
Taiwan will continue to enhance collaboration across the board with like-minded partners such as the U.S. and Ireland on the basis of shared values, the MOFA said, adding that democracies around the world must unite to uphold the rules-based international order. (POC-E)
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