The Legislative Yuan
Press Release
March 14, 2023
You Si-kun: Taiwan and Kosovo share democracy and freedom. I urge the international democratic community to render its support.
Accompanied by Legislators Lo Chih-cheng, Jang Chyi-lu, and Chen Jiau-hua; Legislative Yuan Secretary General Lin Jih-jia, Consultant Chou Ya-shu, and Secretariat Director Kung Ping-chieh; as well as Vice Foreign Minister Alexander Tah-ray Yui, Legislative Yuan President You Si-kun met with the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Kosovo-Taiwan led by Dr. Avdullah Hoti and parliamentarians from North Macedonia and Romania at 2 p.m. on March 13, 2023.
In remarks at the event, President You began by extending a welcome to the delegation and congratulating the Republic of Kosovo on the 15th anniversary of its independence, which was celebrated on February 17. President You said that Taiwan was at the forefront among nations in recognizing Kosovo’s independence in 2008. In pursuing freedom, democracy, independence, and self-rule, Kosovo and Taiwan have faced similar challenges. Kosovo experienced elections and military actions by unfriendly neighbors that caused a refugee crisis. It was the subject of UN resolutions and was under UN trusteeship in the 1990s. Yet nothing could stop the will of the people in their struggle for independence and finally, a parliament passed an independence declaration and a new constitution. Independence was declared after a 2008 referendum by the entire citizenry. The is genuine democracy, exclaimed President You, who went on to point out that the International Court of Justice had delivered its opinion on July 22, 2010, declaring that “the adoption of the declaration of independence of 17 February 2008 did not violate general international law.” Kosovo’s independence has been recognized by 113 countries, including Taiwan. Kosovo’s declaration of independence had a profound impact on geopolitics in Europe, the United States, and the Western Balkan region.
President You then shared that the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Kosovo-Taiwan was established on June 15, 2021, and a Taiwan-Kosovo Parliamentary Amity Association had been founded by Legislator Lo Chih-cheng. This was the first such association to be established with a Balkan nation and therefore has historical significance for promoting parliamentary diplomacy. Although Kosovo is not a member of the Open Government Partnership, it drafted its first open parliament action plan in 2016, transforming it into one of Southern Europe’s open parliaments. While Taiwan, like Kosovo, is not a member of the alliance, it introduced its first open parliament action plan in 2020 and conducted the Open Parliament Forum in 2021. Recently, the Citizen Watch Congress held the 2023 Parliamentary Openness and Monitoring Forum to further consolidate our democracy.
President You continued by saying that Taiwan and Kosovo are both committed to democracy and freedom. Taiwan has been the home of Austronesian people for thousands of years. However, starting in the Age of Discovery, Taiwan became a colony, a status it held for hundreds of years. This colonial history was full of hardship, blood, and tears. With the collective effort of all the people, a democratic transformation was completed over the past 30 years. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the sitting of the first democratically elected legislature and the centenary of the first political association in the history of Taiwan. Taiwan’s democratic achievements have received international acclaim. According to the Democracy Index 2022 published by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Taiwan has ranked first in Asia for the second consecutive year. According to the latest Freedom in the World report published by Freedom House, Taiwan was ranked second in Asia for the second consecutive year and rated as a free country. We cherish the fruits of democracy. This is the way of life we choose, and we will do our best to defend it.
President You further stated that as the international democratic landscape is withering, Kosovo faces an ambitious neighbor. Taiwan also faces verbal attacks and military intimidation by the Chinese authoritarian regime, which wrongly claims Taiwan’s sovereignty and desires to annex Taiwan. This is a threat to stability in the Indo-Pacific region and to global peace. He then urged free democracies around the world to pay greater attention to and support Taiwan and Kosovo.
President You continued by saying that while he had met the delegation at the Legislative Yuan, he was pleased to be seeing many members for the second time. He had met MP Bekë Berisha earlier that morning and MP Catalin D. Tenita in the Czech Republic last July. They had, indeed, met three times. Taiwan shares a similar democratization experience with Kosovo. Therefore, he felt very close to the members of the delegation. Democracy and freedom are the shared language of Taiwan and Kosovo. President You closed by saying he looked forward to further exchanges in the collective struggle for freedom, democracy, and civilization for all mankind.
Followed President You’s remarks, head of the delegation Dr. Avdullah Hoti stated that this was his second trip to Taiwan, the previous one having been in November 2022. He was delighted to meet President You at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Parliamentary Openness and Monitoring Forum. He was impressed by President You’s remarks. He pointed out that the main purpose of the trip was to share experiences and express support for Taiwan. Kosovo is a young democracy. While Taiwan is also a young democracy, it has proven resilient and has much to teach Kosovo. Both Taiwan and Kosovo face unfriendly neighbors. But, he said, history will show that the people’s will prevails. Kosovo has received support from democratic countries in Europe as well as the United States. Taiwan is also supported by many nations, many of which speak out for Taiwan, while others support it quietly. He said he was happy for Taiwan. Dr. Hoti concluded by saying that he was encouraged by the creation of parliamentary amity associations. He hoped to have further discussions on cooperation with Legislator Lo Chih-cheng, the chairman of the Taiwan-Kosovo Parliamentary Amity Association, after the meeting.
Ms. Blerta Deliu-Kodra, Co-chair of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Kosovo-Taiwan, then delivered her remarks. She thanked President You, Co-chair Hoti, the members of the delegation, as well as the National Democratic Institute for arranging the visit. This marked the first Kosovoan cross-parliamentary delegation to visit Taiwan since Kosovo’s independence in 2008. On behalf of the people of Kosovo, she thanked Taiwan for offering help when Kosovo faced difficulty and for providing humanitarian aid during the Kosovo War. She still remembered vividly seeing the phrase “Love from Taiwan” stamped on relief materials arriving in Kosovo. Taiwan and Kosovo share values and friends, making communication and cooperation easier. She said that Kosovo still sought Taiwan’s support and cooperation in every field. Kosovo has a young workforce, particularly in the ICT industry. She believed in further cooperation, something the visit signified.
Afterward, President You and the legislators continued speaking with members of the delegation, during which time President You extemporized on the countries represented by the delegation. He showed his respect and admiration to these countries for defending freedom and democracy. Kosovo features a presidential system, and as a former prime minister of Kosovo, Dr. Hoti has had similar professional experience with President You. In conclusion, President You wished the delegation a pleasant stay in Taiwan. The two sides parted after an exchange of gifts and group photos. The meeting ended at 3 p.m.
