On the afternoon of August 8, Legislative Yuan Vice President Johnny C. Chiang received a three-member delegation of Turkish Good Party parliamentarians led by MP Turhan Çömez. Vice President Chiang was accompanied by KMT Legislators Adm. Chen Yeong-Kang and Liao Wei-Hsiang, Deputy Director Yang Fang-Ling of the Department of International Affairs, Deputy Director-General Chen Yung-Po of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of West Asian and African Affairs, and Secretary Chang Chih-Tang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Mission in Ankara.

Vice President Chiang  first extended a warm welcome to the delegation and joined the guests and attending legislators in a group photo. He also took the opportunity of Taiwan’s Father’s Day to extend his congratulations and best wishes to the visiting guests. Vice President Chiang noted that this was the first Turkish parliamentary delegation received by the current Legislative Yuan and, on behalf of the Legislative Yuan and its President Daniel K.Y. Han, expressed his heartfelt welcome and respect. He commended MP Çömez for his distinguished career as a physician, scholar, and politician, underscoring both his influence and the honor of having been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey—an achievement worthy of the highest esteem.

Vice President Chiang highlighted Turkey’s unique position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, noting its long history and rich culture as a meeting place of diverse civilizations since ancient times. Today, he said, Turkey is not only a cradle of civilization but also a destination beloved by international travelers for its stunning landscapes and cultural heritage—qualities especially admired by the people of Taiwan. He further remarked that this year marks the 10th anniversary of direct flights between Taiwan and Turkey, which not only enhance Taiwan’s role as a global hub but also symbolize the steady growth of Taiwan–Turkey relations.

Vice President Chiang noted that the Legislative Yuan has already established the Taiwan–Turkey Parliamentary Friendship Association to foster more frequent and diverse exchanges between the two legislatures. He also expressed his appreciation to Turkey for sending a drone rescue team after the 2024 Taiwan earthquake, while recalling that Taiwan promptly dispatched search and rescue teams and launched fundraising efforts following Turkey’s devastating earthquake in 2023. These acts of cross-border humanitarian cooperation, he said, demonstrate how the two sides, despite being 8,000 kilometers apart, can support each other in times of crisis.

Vice President Chiang praised Turkey’s role as a bridge between Europe and Asia, especially for its mediating efforts since the 2022 Russia–Ukraine conflict, which have contributed to regional peace. He went on to note that Taiwan is working with like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific to build a free, open, and prosperous regional order. He expressed confidence that expanding exchanges between Taiwan and Turkey beyond the parliamentary level would contribute to global peace and stability. Vice President Chiang concluded by once again thanking the delegation for their visit, expressing his hope for closer parliamentary cooperation to strengthen bilateral ties and benefit the peoples of both countries, and wished the delegation a safe journey home and a successful conclusion to their trip.

MP Çömez, head of the delegation, began by thanking Vice President Chiang and the attending legislators for taking the time to meet. He noted that this was the final day of their visit, which had proceeded smoothly and left a deep impression. Returning to Taiwan for the first time in more than 22 years, he said he was struck by the island’s remarkable progress in democratic consolidation and economic transformation—achievements he credited to the collective efforts of the Taiwanese people. He emphasized the many political, economic, and cultural similarities between Turkey and Taiwan, which he believes offer significant opportunities for cooperation. While the two countries have yet to establish formal diplomatic ties, he stressed that the Turkish people generally view Taiwan with respect and goodwill, and that Taiwan enjoys a very positive image in Turkey. He also spoke of the friendship and support he felt from the Taiwanese people toward Turkey. He stressed, “All Turkish parliamentarians are friends of Taiwan,” and expressed hope that Turkey could serve as Taiwan’s “window of opportunity” to Eurasia, fostering deeper cooperation in economics, energy, and geopolitics. He concluded by pledging to share the experiences of the five-day visit with colleagues and friends back home, and once again thanked the Legislative Yuan for its warm welcome and thoughtful arrangements.

During the exchanges, Legislator Chen, speaking on behalf of the KMT, extended a warm welcome to the delegation. He underscored Turkey’s pivotal geopolitical position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, emphasizing its indispensable role in political, economic, and regional security affairs. He also highlighted Turkey’s rich cultural heritage, its significance in the global strategic landscape, and its notable advances in defense and technology. Looking ahead, he expressed hope for closer interaction and exchanges between the two sides to encourage mutual learning, deepen cooperation, and further advance bilateral relations.

Legislator Liao also extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation and conveyed his highest respect to the distinguished guests from Turkey. He noted that the delegation was led by MP Çömez, whose medical background highlights medical technology as another promising area for future Taiwan–Turkey cooperation. He further emphasized Taichung’s role as a hub of Taiwan’s machinery industry and expressed hope for increased economic and trade exchanges with Turkey. In closing, he once again welcomed the delegation and looked forward to future opportunities for the two sides to meet again.

The two sides then exchanged views on a wide range of topics, including Taiwan–Turkey political and economic relations, the Russia–Ukraine war, U.S. tariffs, and international trade. The meeting, which lasted about an hour, was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. It concluded with an exchange of gifts and a group photo, after which staff from the Department of International Affairs accompanied the delegation on a tour of the parliamentary chamber, bringing the visit to a successful close.