Backing from 70 global legislators for the upcoming visit of a delegation led by Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil to Taiwan is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Aug. 26.
Among the support was a joint international statement initiated by members of the European Parliament Alexandr Vondra and Miriam Lexmann. Released Aug. 25, the communique was also signed by a range of high-profile leaders including MEP Michael Gahler, chair of the European Parliament-Taiwan Friendship Group; U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio; and 64 lawmakers from countries such as Australia, Canada, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, Slovakia and the U.K.
In the statement, legislators expressed staunch support for the visit while opposing pressure imposed on the Czech Senate by China.
The Czech Republic has the right to cultivate cultural and economic ties with Taiwan, it said, adding that the signers “refuse any form of pressure and condemn threats of reprisals regarding the independent right of the European countries to develop relationship[s] with Taiwan.”
This follows an Aug. 20 message from Reinhard Butikofer and Maria Spyraki, chair and vice-chair of the EP’s Delegation for Relations with China, stating that Vystrcil’s visit signifies the realization of a plan by his predecessor, the late Jaroslav Kubera, who had scheduled a trip to Taiwan in February before passing away a month earlier.
According to the MOFA, the approaching visit has received widespread endorsement by members of the international community including figures like U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The chorus of support from around the world is evidence of solidarity between Taiwan and its like-minded partners based on shared universal values of democracy, freedom and human rights, the ministry said, adding that the government will continue deepening Taiwan-Czech cooperation while bolstering global development.
Around 90 prominent individuals are scheduled to join Vystrcil on his Aug. 30-Sept. 4 trip to Taiwan. The delegation’s key members include 1st Vice President of the Czech Senate Jiri Ruzicka, Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib and representatives of the Czech business, cultural, education and media sectors. (YCH-E)
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