On the afternoon of September 11, Deputy Secretary General Dr. Chang Yu-Jung (張裕榮) of the Legislative Yuan, accompanied by International Affairs Department Director Kevin C.F. Lin, met with a four-member cross-party parliamentary delegation from Montenegro. Deputy Counselor of the Department of European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Li Wei-Cheng, was also in attendance.
Deputy Secretary General Chang opened the meeting by extending a sincere welcome to the delegation, led by MP Anđela Vojinović. He remarked that the visit by the cross-party Montenegrin parliamentary delegation from afar embodies the deepening of the interparliamentary friendship between Taiwan and Montenegro and demonstrates our shared resolve to usher in a new chapter of mutual cooperation.
Deputy Secretary General Chang also noted that since Montenegro became a candidate for membership in the European Union in 2010, the country has actively advanced accession negotiations, with the goal of completing the process by 2028. He extended heartfelt wishes for Montenegro’s successful accession to the EU. Taiwan and Montenegro, he added, are both countries with towering mountains and overlooking the sea, small in land area, yet full of potential for development. He noted that since the EU granted Taiwan visa-free access to the Schengen Area in 2011, exchanges between the peoples have grown closer. He also expressed hope that more Taiwanese will travel to Montenegro to experience firsthand the scenic beauty of the land where “the pearls of nature were sown,” as poetically described by Lord Byron.
Deputy Secretary General Chang further expressed his admiration for Montenegro’s steadfast commitment to democracy and freedom since its independence in 2006. He noted that China's influence in the Balkans has expanded in recent years, but the high-debt risks stemming from the Belt and Road Initiative have prompted greater caution among countries, with some even opting to withdraw. He added that Taiwan will continue to advance diversified cooperation with Central and Eastern European and Balkan countries and to encourage industrial exchanges through investment and financing funds. Deputy Secretary General Chang also mentioned that Taiwan’s strengths in areas such as technology, ICT, and renewable energy align with Montenegro’s development priorities, and it was his belief that there is limitless potential for future cooperation between the two countries. In addition, Taiwan has worked with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to assist Montenegro in implementing an intelligent transport system, he added, highlighting that Taiwan looks forward to building on this foundation to expand trade and economic cooperation and promote shared prosperity with Montenegro.
He also pointed out that both Taiwan and Montenegro have unicameral legislatures, and that the Legislative Yuan’s new configuration, where the three main parties collectively do not hold a majority, can nonetheless open up fresh opportunities for parliamentary diplomacy. The newly established Taiwan-the Balkans Nine Countries Parliamentary Friendship Association in the Legislative Yuan has already attracted enthusiastic cross-party participation, underscoring Taiwan’s dedication to cementing its friendship with the Balkan countries. He hoped bilateral parliamentary visits and exchanges will continue, thereby generating greater welfare for the peoples of both countries.
MP Vojinović, head of the delegation, stated that this delegation was the largest parliamentary mission Montenegro has ever sent to Taiwan, composed of three ruling party members and one opposition member; she expressed hope that more and larger delegations will visit Taiwan for exchanges in the future. The visit to the Legislative Yuan was the final stop on the delegation’s itinerary. She thanked the Legislative Yuan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and all the parties for their warm reception, which guaranteed the delegation's highly productive and fruitful return. Particularly, she commended Taiwan’s achievements in democratic progress as something Montenegro can learn from, and emphasized that Taiwan and Montenegro are both small countries with remarkable achievements, proving that national strength depends not on territorial size, but on its vision, sense of mission, and steadfast defense of sovereignty. She added that Montenegro is seeking to join the EU, and is willing to deepen cooperation with like-minded countries, noting that Taiwan excels in democracy, technological innovation, and social resilience, making it a model that Montenegro can learn from. She also hoped that together with Taiwan, Montenegro could prove to the world that small countries can be global role models as well.
MP Vojinović stated that after meetings with various sectors in Taiwan, the delegation was convinced that both countries can increase cooperation in areas such as innovation, digital technology, energy, student exchanges, and culture. She specifically noted that among Montenegro’s 81 parliamentary seats, women account for as much as 27%, and many MPs come from minority backgrounds, demonstrating Montenegro’s diverse political culture. She hoped that this exchange will mark the starting point for deepening bilateral cooperation and partnership.
In follow-up exchanges, Montenegrin MPs invited Deputy Secretary General Chang and legislators to visit Montenegro and expressed their hope that more Taiwanese visitors would travel there and experience its rich tourism resources local culture. Deputy Secretary General Chang extended his gratitude and looked forward to welcoming more parliamentary delegations from Montenegro in the future. He also reiterated the importance of setting up mutual representative offices to expand cooperation and exchanges in both the public and private sectors. The delegation expressed that the visit was extremely rewarding, noting that Taiwan’s cuisine, warm hospitality, and development achievements have left a lasting impression in their hearts, and they thanked the Legislative Yuan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Taiwan’s overseas personnel once again for their thoughtful arrangements.
The two sides went on to hold extensive discussions on a range of topics, including political and economic situations in Taiwan and Montenegro, technological innovation, renewable energy, student exchanges, and cultural cooperation. The meeting lasted about 30 minutes in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Lastly, Deputy Secretary General Chang and the delegation exchanged commemorative gifts and posed for group photos, ending the exchange on a successful note.
