President Daniel K. Y. Han: “Grateful to the European Parliament and the European Green Party for their friendship and firm support to Taiwan”

On the afternoon of March 27th, President Han met the eight-member European Parliament and the European Green Party delegation. In attendance were Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang, Legislator Wu Pei-yi, who is also the chairperson of Taiwan-European Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association, KMT Legislator Niu Hsu-ting, Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Mai Yu-chen, Secretary General Chester Wan-lai Chou, International Affairs Department Director Kevin C.F. Lin, Deputy Minister Kelly Wu-chiao Hsieh and European Affairs Department Director General Eric Jiun-yaw Huang form the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

President Han invited attending legislators and delegation members for group phots and extended a warm welcome to their visit. He praised the European Green Party for its mission and ideal of loving natural environment, which have profound impacts to human society in Europe and all over the world. Taiwan echoes several political beliefs of Green Party. President Han thanked Chair Reinhard Bütikofer for leading a delegation to Taiwan and a warm welcome to Vice President of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala for her first visit to Taiwan. He gave special thanks to Chair Reinhard Bütikofer, the European Green Party members and Vice President of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala for their backing in Taiwan’s international participation and for urging European countries repeatedly to strengthen engagement and interactions with Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, President Han expressed his gratitude to them.

Vice President Chiang extended his sincere welcome to Chair Bütikofer and the delegation to the Legislative Yuan. He pointed out that although the countries they represent do not have diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan), the shared values and beliefs make our friendship even stronger. He hoped that there would be more interactions and cooperation in people-to-people as well as parliamentary exchanges. 

Legislator Wu Pei-yi stated that she and DPP legislators have watched closely on the passage of Article 23 of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Basic Law in the Legislative Council. They are afraid that repression of Hong Kong’s human rights would be worse. She highly acknowledged what Chair Bütikofer expressed when he met with President Tsai Ying-wen that all democracies should work together. She said that Taiwan had applied for the membership of Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC). She hoped that through cross-party efforts, Taiwan can join international organizations to enhance cooperation with international democratic camp. 

Legislator Niu Hsu-ting hoped that Taiwan and Europe will have closer interactions. He asked the European Green Party and other political parties about their view on nuclear power. He hoped to learn from Europe as a reference for Taiwan’s nuclear power. Legislator Mai Yu-chen conveyed her greetings to the delegation in Vietnamese from the very beginning of the meeting. She hoped that the delegation enjoyed Taiwan’s warm hospitality and beautiful scenery. She said that Taiwan’s Green Island faces the same environmental protection issues with Europe. She hoped to learn from European counterparts on how to settle the issue of nuclear waste. 

Chair Bütikofer stated that he was privileged to visit the Legislative Yuan again. He thanked President Han for finding time to meet them and for his acknowledgment of European Green Party. He stated that European Green Party attaches great importance to environmental protection and sustainable development. At the same time, they also focus on human rights, rule of law and social responsibility and other issues. He said the first Green Party was originated form Australia’s Tasmania and gradually expanded its political clout. Currently, the supporting rate of European and German Green Party are 10% and 21% respectively. He continued to joke that recently when he met with Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Ko Wen-je, Chairman Ko said that TPP’s supporting rate seems to be higher than European Green Party. He responded by saying that currently Green Party is present in many European countries such as Finland, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Baltic countries, Bulgaria, Spain, Ireland with increasing political clout. In the future, it will win the support of more voters. Chair Bütikofer continued to point out that in recent years, supporting democratic Taiwan has become the political position and consensus of many political parties in Europe. Democratic countries should cooperate to fight against the expansion of authoritarianism. He hoped that through people-to-people, party-to-party and parliament cooperation to promote bilateral cordial relations to enjoy co-prosperity and development. 

During exchanges, Vice President of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala and three German Green Party parliamentarians exchanged views with President Han, Vice President Chiang and attending legislators on a wide range of issues related with nuclear security, green energy policy, promoting Taiwan’s culture, preventing fake news, strengthening regional cooperation and defending democracy and human rights, abolishment of death penalty, Taiwan’s application for joining IPAC, and deepening parliamentary exchanges. The meeting lasted for about an hour in an amicable atmosphere and concluded after both sides exchanged gifts.