President Tsai Ing-wen expressed her gratitude to the European Green Party for support of Taiwan’s international participation and further thanked the European Parliament for its practical action affirming support of Taiwan's democracy and freedom.
Tsai made the remarks while meeting the first pan-European Green party delegation led by Reinhard Bütikofer, member of the EP for the German Green Party. Other members of the group include EP Vice President Heidi Hautala, and German Bundestag members Till Steffen, Boris Mijatović, and Agnieszka Brugger.
Taiwan and Europe have become closer through such actions as last month’s EP adoption of the EU diplomatic and security report resolution to support deepening partnerships with Taiwan, noted the president.
Tsai said that the EGP’s long-term concern for the environment, human rights and social welfare segues with Taiwan’s work on net-zero transition and gender equality. She added that this visit by parliamentarians would deepen exchange with Germany and other EU nations on issues of common concern, including dissemination of disinformation and supply chain security.
In response, Bütikofer said that this trip was the first by the EGP to Taiwan and was undertaken to express belief that democracies should remain united; gain a better understanding of Taiwan society and discover substantive opportunities for cooperation to strengthen Taiwan-EU partnerships.
The delegation leader also emphasized that there are broader aspects to cooperation beyond that of economics, for example, Taiwan has experience of authoritarian regime change and Europe that of coming to terms with historical injustice. Bütikofer said that although there are many shades of opinion in the EP, the issue on which everyone is united is support for Taiwan and the country enjoys growing visibility in Europe. (POC-E)
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