President Han meets European Parliament cross-party delegation; President Han: We look forward to multifaceted Taiwan-Europe exchanges and continued deepening of cooperation across various fields
President Daniel K.Y. Han of the Legislative Yuan met with a five-member European Parliament cross-party delegation led by Vice Chair Ivars Ijabs on the afternoon of February 26. He was accompanied by Legislator Chuang Jui-Hsiung, Chair of the Taiwan-European Union Parliamentary Friendship Association, Taiwan People's Party Legislator Lin Yi-Chun, Director of the Department of International Affairs Kevin C.F. Lin, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Remus Li-Kuo Chen, and Deputy Director-General of the Department of European Affairs Lin Chu-En.
President Han warmly welcomed the delegation and, after taking a group photo with the attending legislators and guests, expressed his honor in meeting with the esteemed members of the European Parliament cross-party delegation. He went on to praise Europe for its breathtaking landscapes, hospitable people, and harmonious society, extending a warm welcome once again to the European parliamentarians visiting Taiwan for the first time. He stated that the Legislative Yuan operates under a unicameral system, comprising a total of 113 legislators from three political parties. He noted that the attending legislators today represent the Democratic Progressive Party and the Taiwan People's Party, emphasizing that they are all outstanding representatives. He went on to express his deep appreciation to the European Parliament for passing approximately 40 pro-Taiwan resolutions in recent years, which have allowed Taiwan to feel the European Parliament’s friendliness. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, he extended his sincere gratitude for Europe's strong support. President Han highlighted that over the past several centuries, Europe has demonstrated remarkable achievements across various fields, including politics, culture, the arts, high technology, and democracy. He described Europe as having an almost magical presence, serving as a model for nations around the world.
President Han emphasized that in recent years, Taiwan-Europe relations have grown increasingly robust, with close cooperation across a variety of fields. For instance, in the economic and trade sector, Taiwan expanded collaboration with Latvia in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry last year (2024). He further noted that in August last year, TSMC established a manufacturing facility in Dresden, Germany, while Taiwanese battery company ProLogium also invested in France. In the field of education, nearly 7,300 students from various European countries studied in Taiwan between 2023 and 2024, with over 80 percent coming from EU member states. Meanwhile, in 2023, more than 10,000 Taiwanese students pursued studies in Europe, the majority enrolling in EU member states. These figures underscore the vibrancy of bilateral educational exchanges and the continued circulation of talent.
Vice Chair Ivars Ijabs began his remarks by expressing his gratitude to President Han and the legislators from different parties for taking the time to meet with the delegation and for their warm welcome. He went on to state that Europe is deeply impressed by Taiwan’s development into a highly free and democratic society, emphasizing that Taiwan and Europe share the same values of freedom and democracy. He noted that there are many pro-Taiwan members within the European Parliament, and passing pro-Taiwan resolutions to demonstrate support has long been a strong cross-party consensus within the European Parliament. He continued by stating that Europe supports a peaceful resolution to cross-strait issues and emphasized that maintaining a democratic way of life relies on three key elements. First, addressing the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape; second, sustaining a free and open market; and third, fostering ongoing cooperation in high technology, as scientific advancement serves as the driving force for the future progress of freedom and democracy.
During the bilateral exchanges, Legislator Chuang Jui-Hsiung remarked that whenever foreign guests visit Taiwan, the Legislative Yuan extends a warm welcome across party lines. He went on to share that from his time as a Taipei City Councilor to the present, he has visited Austria, Slovenia, Poland, and other countries on multiple occasions. Additionally, he highlighted that the Taiwan-European Union Parliamentary Friendship Association, established within the Legislative Yuan, currently has 32 legislators as ex officio members, underscoring the Legislative Yuan’s strong support for European affairs. Legislator Chuang also expressed his deep appreciation for the European Parliament's continued support for Taiwan in recent years, particularly its long-standing attention to Taiwan’s geopolitical issues and its recognition of Taiwan as one of Europe’s international friends. He voiced his hope for even closer Taiwan-Europe economic and trade relations in the future, as well as stronger exchanges between our respective peoples.
Legislator Lin Yi-Chun expressed her gratitude to the esteemed European guests for their concrete actions in supporting Taiwan. She recalled that last year, she accompanied Vice President Chiang on a cross-party delegation to Europe and emphasized the significance of cross-party exchanges between Taiwan and Europe. She deeply values the friendship between both sides, particularly in regional security and economic and trade dialogues, where Europe plays a crucial role for Taiwan. She expressed hope for increased cooperation in areas such as trade and innovative industries, ultimately leading to the signing of relevant agreements and the continued deepening of collaborations across various fields.
Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on a range of topics, including education and culture, technological innovation, economic and trade exchanges, the Russia-Ukraine war, and medical cooperation. President Han concluded by stating that although Taiwan is smaller in population, land area, and national power compared to other countries, it possesses immense vitality, extraordinary development potential, and significant influence. From consumer goods to automotive components, from traditional industries to high-tech sectors, “Made in Taiwan” products are renowned worldwide for their quality. He expressed his hope that Taiwan and Europe will continue to deepen cooperation and exchanges across various fields in the future. The meeting took place in a friendly and cordial atmosphere and lasted approximately one hour. Following the exchange of commemorative gifts and a group photo, personnel from the Department of International Affairs guided the delegation on a tour of the legislative chamber. The guests acknowledged Taiwan’s democratic achievements, bringing the meeting to a successful conclusion.
President Han warmly welcomed the delegation and, after taking a group photo with the attending legislators and guests, expressed his honor in meeting with the esteemed members of the European Parliament cross-party delegation. He went on to praise Europe for its breathtaking landscapes, hospitable people, and harmonious society, extending a warm welcome once again to the European parliamentarians visiting Taiwan for the first time. He stated that the Legislative Yuan operates under a unicameral system, comprising a total of 113 legislators from three political parties. He noted that the attending legislators today represent the Democratic Progressive Party and the Taiwan People's Party, emphasizing that they are all outstanding representatives. He went on to express his deep appreciation to the European Parliament for passing approximately 40 pro-Taiwan resolutions in recent years, which have allowed Taiwan to feel the European Parliament’s friendliness. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, he extended his sincere gratitude for Europe's strong support. President Han highlighted that over the past several centuries, Europe has demonstrated remarkable achievements across various fields, including politics, culture, the arts, high technology, and democracy. He described Europe as having an almost magical presence, serving as a model for nations around the world.
President Han emphasized that in recent years, Taiwan-Europe relations have grown increasingly robust, with close cooperation across a variety of fields. For instance, in the economic and trade sector, Taiwan expanded collaboration with Latvia in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry last year (2024). He further noted that in August last year, TSMC established a manufacturing facility in Dresden, Germany, while Taiwanese battery company ProLogium also invested in France. In the field of education, nearly 7,300 students from various European countries studied in Taiwan between 2023 and 2024, with over 80 percent coming from EU member states. Meanwhile, in 2023, more than 10,000 Taiwanese students pursued studies in Europe, the majority enrolling in EU member states. These figures underscore the vibrancy of bilateral educational exchanges and the continued circulation of talent.
Vice Chair Ivars Ijabs began his remarks by expressing his gratitude to President Han and the legislators from different parties for taking the time to meet with the delegation and for their warm welcome. He went on to state that Europe is deeply impressed by Taiwan’s development into a highly free and democratic society, emphasizing that Taiwan and Europe share the same values of freedom and democracy. He noted that there are many pro-Taiwan members within the European Parliament, and passing pro-Taiwan resolutions to demonstrate support has long been a strong cross-party consensus within the European Parliament. He continued by stating that Europe supports a peaceful resolution to cross-strait issues and emphasized that maintaining a democratic way of life relies on three key elements. First, addressing the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape; second, sustaining a free and open market; and third, fostering ongoing cooperation in high technology, as scientific advancement serves as the driving force for the future progress of freedom and democracy.
During the bilateral exchanges, Legislator Chuang Jui-Hsiung remarked that whenever foreign guests visit Taiwan, the Legislative Yuan extends a warm welcome across party lines. He went on to share that from his time as a Taipei City Councilor to the present, he has visited Austria, Slovenia, Poland, and other countries on multiple occasions. Additionally, he highlighted that the Taiwan-European Union Parliamentary Friendship Association, established within the Legislative Yuan, currently has 32 legislators as ex officio members, underscoring the Legislative Yuan’s strong support for European affairs. Legislator Chuang also expressed his deep appreciation for the European Parliament's continued support for Taiwan in recent years, particularly its long-standing attention to Taiwan’s geopolitical issues and its recognition of Taiwan as one of Europe’s international friends. He voiced his hope for even closer Taiwan-Europe economic and trade relations in the future, as well as stronger exchanges between our respective peoples.
Legislator Lin Yi-Chun expressed her gratitude to the esteemed European guests for their concrete actions in supporting Taiwan. She recalled that last year, she accompanied Vice President Chiang on a cross-party delegation to Europe and emphasized the significance of cross-party exchanges between Taiwan and Europe. She deeply values the friendship between both sides, particularly in regional security and economic and trade dialogues, where Europe plays a crucial role for Taiwan. She expressed hope for increased cooperation in areas such as trade and innovative industries, ultimately leading to the signing of relevant agreements and the continued deepening of collaborations across various fields.
Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on a range of topics, including education and culture, technological innovation, economic and trade exchanges, the Russia-Ukraine war, and medical cooperation. President Han concluded by stating that although Taiwan is smaller in population, land area, and national power compared to other countries, it possesses immense vitality, extraordinary development potential, and significant influence. From consumer goods to automotive components, from traditional industries to high-tech sectors, “Made in Taiwan” products are renowned worldwide for their quality. He expressed his hope that Taiwan and Europe will continue to deepen cooperation and exchanges across various fields in the future. The meeting took place in a friendly and cordial atmosphere and lasted approximately one hour. Following the exchange of commemorative gifts and a group photo, personnel from the Department of International Affairs guided the delegation on a tour of the legislative chamber. The guests acknowledged Taiwan’s democratic achievements, bringing the meeting to a successful conclusion.