Italian Sen. Lucio Malan of the Forza Italia party concluded a four-day visit to Taiwan Sept. 2, paving the way for expanded exchanges and greater understanding between the two nations.
A parliamentarian since 2004 and president of the 100-strong Italy-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, Malan was in country at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was his second visit to Taiwan following a nine-day trip in January 2010.
During the visit, Malan met with President Ma Ying-jeou, MOFA Minister David Lin, Minister of National Defense Gao Guang-chi and other senior public sector officials. He was also presented with the Friendship Medal of Diplomacy by Lin at a special ceremony and banquet in Taipei City.
“That was a proud and special moment for me,” Malan said. “I steeled myself for a small, private ceremony, but was truly honored with a larger event in a great setting.”
As a firm friend of Taiwan and influential figure in Italian politics, Malan has worked hard to bolster bilateral relations. His priority since taking over as ITPFG president in 2013 is raising awareness of the ROC among lawmakers and strengthening exchanges between the two nations across a broad spectrum of areas, in particular entrepreneurship and investment.
A recent breakthrough stemming from Malan’s efforts was enactment of the Italy-Taiwan tax treaty April 15 by the Italian parliament. A version of the legislation was proposed by the senator in October 2013, and he kept his shoulder to the grindstone over the past two years to ensure the bill did not fall by the wayside.
“This was a great accomplishment and demonstrates the value of team work when it comes to fostering expanded reciprocal relations,” Malan said. “ITPFG members kept the pressure up on their colleagues in the relevant committees to secure quick passage.
“ROC Representative to Italy Stanley Kao also played a central role in making sure everyone was kept abreast of the latest developments and kept pulling together to deliver this win-win outcome.”
According to Malan, the legislation eliminating double taxation opens the door for those doing business in Taiwan and Italy to grow operations and create conditions for greater prosperity. “Of course, a few more steps need to be taken on the Taiwan side before the law takes full effect. But most importantly, we have laid the foundations for the future,” he said.
The ROC Ministry of Finance said Sept. 3 that it welcomes the treaty and looks forward to Taiwan and Italy negotiating and finalizing a related agreement enabling the measures to be ratified by the ROC Legislature.
“There is no question this pact will help foster a warmer business and investment environment climate for Taiwan and Italian businesses,” a MOF official said. “The MOFA is now handling the issue and will make sure all requisite documentation and procedures are completed so the two sides can move ahead.”
Another example of Malan’s support for Taiwan was his January 2014 question in the Italian senate to then Foreign Affairs Minister Emma Bonino concerning Rome’s decision to deny Taiwan country status at the 2015 Milan Expo. He questioned the wisdom of excluding a democratic nation of 23 million people and wondered if such a move aimed at placating Beijing undermined Italy’s dignity.
“This was an extremely unfortunate development and one reflecting a lack of political will on the part of Bonino,” Malan said. “There were no ill intentions; it was more a case of overcautious bureaucracy producing a result out of sync with the spirit of the event.”
The difficulties often facing Taiwan when it comes to participating in international events and U.N. organizations is an issue close to Malan’s heart. He describes such a state of affairs as “very bad” and considers it a moral duty to right this wrong.
“Sadly, Taiwan is a victim of the exaggeration of realpolitik,” he said. “But by chipping away here and there, we can achieve results like observer status at the World Health Assembly. This is something we soon hope to repeat at the International Civil Aviation Organization.”
Taiwan attended the 38th ICAO assembly Sept. 24 to Oct. 4, 2013, in Montreal as a guest of ICAO Council President Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez. It was the first time for the country to take part in the aviation agency since walking out of the U.N. in 1971.
Malan views Taiwan’s WHA observer status and ICAO attendance as one of the many benefits flowing from the government’s viable diplomacy approach. “This pragmatic strategy is the right one and will surely bring more accomplishments,” he said. “By supporting parliamentary friendship groups around the world, as well as emphasizing people-to-people exchanges, much more can be done.
“Doing and proposing with a nice smile instead of complaining is the best way. Look at President Ma, look at late President Chiang Kai-shek, they are both known for winning smiles from the heart.”
The East and South China Sea Peace Initiatives are similarly welcomed by Malan. “I see them as akin to peeling an artichoke,” he said. “You deal with each leaf on its own merits, carefully moving toward the heart while ensuring nothing is wasted.
“Much in the same way, the initiatives focus on the principle but tackle the side issues to deliver significant results for people. One of these is the fisheries agreement of April 2013 that ended disputes between Taiwan and Japan dating back 40 years.”
The East and South China Sea Peace Initiatives were proposed by Ma in August 2012 and May 2015, respectively. They urge all parties to observe international law; exercise restraint and refrain from taking any unilateral action; shelve sovereignty disputes and seek peaceful settlements through dialogue; and establish coordination and cooperation mechanisms.
A staunch believer in freedom and democracy, Malan enjoyed a particularly fruitful meeting during his visit with Yao Eng-chi, president of Taipei-headquartered World League for Freedom and Democracy and former vice president of the Legislative Yuan. At the conclusion of their talks, Malan said he is committed to establishing a WLFD chapter in Italy before the end of year.
“I saw a gap on the league’s map where Italy was and resolved to fill it. Taiwan’s love of freedom, democracy and rule of law needs to be shared with the world and I intend to play my part.”
WLFD Secretary-General Ger Yeong-kuang said Sept. 3 that Malan’s dedication and passion to furthering the cause of the nongovernmental organization is enormously appreciated. “We are always in favor of likeminded individuals promoting Taiwan as a beacon for freedom and democracy through informal diplomacy.”
The WLFD was founded as the Asian Pacific Anti-Communist League in 1954 by late President Chiang and his then counterparts Rhee Syng-man of South Korea and Elipidio Quirino of the Philippines. It boasts 139 member units globally and is dedicated to uniting the freedom-and-democracy loving peoples of the world in the pursuit of world peace.
Looking forward, Malan said ITPFG has a number of top issues on its agenda for next year. These include making sure the double taxation agreement is fully implemented, stepping up efforts to promote Taiwan’s economic profile in Italy and drafting legislation that will protect loan artworks from seizure by third parties.
“The National Palace Museum in Taipei has an incredible collection that deserves greater exposure. If we can get this law in place sooner rather than later, then it won’t be long before Taiwan and Italy can begin experiencing even closer cultural ties as well.
“We must take every opportunity to increase awareness of the value of reciprocal relations on all fronts. Deeper understanding and warm friendship are critical to raising Taiwan’s profile in Italy.” (JSM)
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