立法院韓國瑜院長於本（9月10）日下午在「台灣與南島語系國家國會議員友好協會」會長王美惠委員、國民黨陳永康委員、民眾黨林憶君委員、國際事務處林晨富處長，以及外交部田中光政務次長、亞東太平洋司陳俊吉副司長、禮賓處范家銘副處長及吐國駐台使館歐席菈（Silafaga Lalau O'Brien）臨時代辦等人陪同下，接見「吐瓦魯國國會議長伊塔雷理（Iakoba Taeia Italeli）閣下伉儷訪問團」一行8人。
In the afternoon of September 10, President of the Legislative Yuan Daniel K.Y. Han met with an eight-member delegation led by the Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu H.E. Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli, who was accompanied by his wife. In attendance were the President of the Parliamentary Friendship Association between Taiwan and Austronesian Languages Speaking Countries Wang Mei-Hui, KMT Legislator Chen Yeong-Kang, TPP Legislator Lin Yi-Chun, Director of the Department of International Affairs Kevin C.F. Lin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-Kwang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Chen Chun-Chi, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Protocol Fan Chia-Ming, and Chargé d'affaires of the Embassy of Tuvalu in Taipei Silafaga Lalau O'Brien.
伊塔雷理議長閣下伉儷一行抵達立法院時，韓院長率跨黨派委員至立法院大門前親迎，並由「台灣與南島語系國家國會議員友好協會」會長王美惠委員獻花予伊塔雷理議長閣下，嗣陪同訪賓一行進入立法院貴賓接待室。韓院長邀請伊塔雷理議長閣下於立法院院貴賓簿上簽名留念，並偕在場委員及訪賓成員合影留念。
President Han, leading a group of cross-party legislators, welcomed Speaker Italeli of the Parliament of Tuvalu with his wife and the delegation when they arrived at the main gates of the Legislative Yuan. President of the Parliamentary Friendship Association between Taiwan and Austronesian Languages Speaking Countries Wang Mei-Hui gave flowers to Speaker Italeli and accompanied the delegation to enter the guest reception room of the Legislative Yuan. President Han invited Speaker Italeli to sign the VIP guest book and took a group photo with the legislators present and the visiting guests.
院長致詞時表示，熱誠歡迎吐瓦魯議長閣下伉儷及訪團成員，吐瓦魯國會有16位議員，台灣立法院計有113立委，今天台灣三大政黨皆派代表出席，顯示台灣不分黨派均十分重視吐瓦魯議長閣下伉儷所率訪團的蒞臨。韓院長繼謂，本（第11）屆立法院女性委員共計47位，占全體委員的41%，立法委員負責審查法律案、預算案及其他重要議案，每一位立法委員都至關重要。院長續表示，台灣與吐瓦魯自1979年建交至今，45年間吐瓦魯一直是台灣最堅實的外交盟友，雙方在醫療、科技、教育及漁業等各方面，都有密切的合作，吐瓦魯目前尚有40位青年學子在台就學，顯見台吐邦誼堅定友好，盼望這段珍貴的友誼能歷久彌新。
In his speech, President Han warmly welcomed the Speaker Italeli and his wife as well as the delegation members. With Tuvalu having 16 legislators and Taiwan having 113, the fact that Taiwan’s three major political parties all sent representatives to participate in the meeting reveals that Taiwan, regardless of party affiliations, attaches great importance to the visit of the Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu and his wife. President Han further noted that there are 47 female members in the current 11th legislature, accounting for 41 percent of the total members. As legislators are responsible for reviewing bills, budgetary bills, and other important motions, every legislator is of utmost importance. President Han stated that Tuvalu has been Taiwan’s strongest diplomatic ally, engaging in close bilateral cooperation in the fields of healthcare, technology, education, and fishery since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1979. Currently, a total of 40 Tuvalu students are living in Taiwan for academic purposes, showing that the friendship between Taiwan and Tuvalu has remained strong ever since and will continue to endure in the future.
伊塔雷理議長閣下致詞時表示，他今天懷著喜悅的心情來到立法院，首先誠摯地恭喜韓院長及江副院長當選本屆立法院正副院長。續謂，國會議長的角色是民主體制的重要基石，不僅展現公正性、領導力，也協助各黨派間進行建設性的對話。他強調，韓院長此次代表國民黨當選院長，是台灣歷史上的重要時刻，不僅展現出推動跨黨派合作的決心，也代表執政黨和在野黨的聲音都能被聽見，是非常難得可貴的事。
In his speech, Speaker Italeli mentioned that he was very happy to have the opportunity to visit the Legislative Yuan. He congratulated President Han and Vice President Chiang for being elected and added that the speaker of parliament is a cornerstone of a democratic system. Such role demands impartiality, leadership, and fostering beneficial discussions among diverse parties. He emphasized that President Han’s election as the President of the Legislative Yuan representing the KMT is a significant moment in history. Not only does it demonstrate his determination to promote cross-party cooperation, it also means that the voices of both the ruling and opposition parties can be heard. This is extremely rare and valuable.
伊塔雷理議長閣下分享他的觀察表示，當今台灣的政治版圖變得比較複雜，民進黨雖持續執政，但在立法過程中須與在野黨協商，這凸顯出國會議長的角色至關重要。他深信，韓院長及江副院長非常重視跨黨派合作，不僅強化台灣的治理，也展現出台灣的合作精神。議長續稱，此次他以吐瓦魯議長的身分訪台，是上任以來首場正式行程，深具意義。過去他也曾在2010年及2014年以吐瓦魯衛生部長及總督的身分訪台，今年適逢兩國慶祝建交45週年，能以議長的身分再次率團來台，他感到非常榮幸。
Speaker Italeli observed that Taiwan’s political landscape has become increasingly complex. Though the DPP continues to serve as the ruling party, it has to negotiate with the opposition parties during the legislative process, and this highlights the crucial role of the parliament speaker. He firmly believes that President Han and Vice President Chiang will place great importance on cross-party cooperation to strengthen Taiwan’s governance and showcase Taiwan’s spirit of partnership. Speaker Italeli continued to say that this is his first formal visit since he assumed office, making it highly significant. Having visited Taiwan as the Minister of Health and Social Welfare and the Governor-General of Tuvalu in 2010 and 2014 respectively, he felt deeply honored to be able to celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries as the speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu.
議長閣下強調，吐瓦魯與台灣的雙邊合作關係十分緊密，感謝台灣慷慨支持吐瓦魯興建首棟現代化國會大廈，這不僅在吐國國會的歷史上具有重要意義，更展現出台吐間深厚的情誼。他提到，本次訪團成員中之田互魯(Ampelosa Manoa Tehulu)部長、倪米亞(Namoliki Sualiki Neemia)議員、賽雷岡紐(Pisi Seleganiu)助理次長及他本人都是國會大廈興建委員會的成員，渠等的責任就是要確保興建計畫得以順利完成。議長最後表示，吐瓦魯期待與台灣積極發展合作，並將持續聲援台灣參與國際組織。他相信，沒有一個國家應該被排除在國際社會之外，而國際社會也需要台灣的貢獻。最後，他代表訪團誠摯感謝台灣的熱情接待，相信此行必定成果豐碩，並盼兩國邦誼永固、歷久彌新，願上帝祝福台灣、祝福吐瓦魯。
Speaker Italeli stressed that Taiwan and Tuvalu share a robust bilateral relationship, and he thanked Taiwan for its generous support for the construction of Tuvalu’s first modern Parliament Building, which bears remarkable meaning in Tuvalu’s history, while demonstrating the profound friendship between Taiwan and Tuvalu. He noted that Minister Ampelosa Manoa Tehulu, Member of Parliament Namoliki Sualiki Neemia, Assistant Secretary Pisi Seleganiu, and himself are members of the Parliament Building Construction Committee, bearing the responsibility to ensure the construction plan is well on track and completed on time. Speaker Italeli also mentioned that Tuvalu wants to actively deepen its partnership with Taiwan, and will continue to support Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. He believes that no country should be excluded from the international community, as the world also needs Taiwan’s contributions. Lastly, he expressed his sincere gratitude for Taiwan’s warm reception on behalf of the delegation and said he was looking forward to very successful results from this visit. He also hoped for an enduring and ever-strengthening friendship and that God bless both Taiwan and Tuvalu.
「台灣與南島語系國家國會議員友好協會」會長王美惠委員致詞時表示，非常歡迎吐瓦魯議長閣下伉儷及訪團貴賓來到台灣，她一直以來堅持以母語質詢，身為南島語系友好協會會長，她請教議長閣下，在吐瓦魯國會是否也是以母語質詢？另外，她也期盼吐瓦魯國能在國際上繼續支持台灣，深化兩國邦誼。議長幽默回復道，在吐瓦魯國國會中，議員也慣用母語質詢，若以英文質詢還須傳譯。聽聞此言，在場賓客均莞爾一笑。
In her remarks, Wang Mei-Hui, President of the Parliamentary Friendship Association between Taiwan and Austronesian Languages Speaking Countries, welcomed the delegation led by the Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu and his wife. Having had insisted on interpellation in her mother tongue for a long time, she asked Speaker Italeli whether they use their mother tongue for interpellation in parliament. That said, she hoped that Tuvalu will continue to support Taiwan in the international community, strengthening the friendship between the two nations. Speaker Italeli playfully responded that legislators in Tuvalu are also accustomed to interpellate in their mother tongue, and interpretations are required if they do so in English, bringing a smile on the faces of all attendees.
陳永康委員代表國民黨誠摯歡迎議長閣下伉儷及訪團成員，並感謝各位訪賓長期以來對民主台灣的堅定支持，他提及三項議題，相信台灣將持續對吐瓦魯提供相關協助。其一，針對海平面上升及氣候變遷的嚴峻挑戰，台灣將盡力提供協助吐國研擬因應計畫；其二，台灣將持續提供優良的醫療專業人才及資源，協助吐國改善醫療環境及品質；其三，台灣歡迎吐國青年學子來台就學，以提升吐國教育水平。
Legislator Chen Yeong-Kang, on behalf of the KMT, extended a warm welcome to Speaker Italeli and his wife, as well as the delegation members, and thanked the visiting members for their firm and long-term support of Taiwan’s democracy. He mentioned three issues, in which he believed Taiwan will lend a helping hand to Tuvalu. First, in response to the critical challenges of rising sea levels and climate change, Taiwan will assist Tuvalu in formulating a response plan; second, Taiwan will continue to provide excellent quality medical personnel and resources to assist Tuvalu in improving the environment and quality of medical care; third, Taiwan will continue to welcome students from Tuvalu for overseas studies to enhance the education level of Tuvalu.
林憶君委員則感謝議長閣下第三次率團來台，相信此次就像「回家」一樣。她特別指出，吐國依然面臨氣候變遷的巨大挑戰，她相信台吐雙邊加強合作，必定可以協助吐國應對此挑戰。另外，她也感謝吐國政府長期在國際場域為台灣仗義執言，特別在「聯合國大會」(UNGA)及「世界衛生組織」(WHO)等重要國際組織，持續聲援台灣的有意義參與。
Legislator Lin Yi-Chun thanked Speaker Italeli for leading the Tuvalu delegation to Taiwan for the third time, hoping that it would feel like coming back home. She pointed out that as Tuvalu is still facing tremendous challenges brought by climate change, increasing the level of collaboration between the two countries will certainly help Tuvalu in managing such obstacles. In addition, she also thanked the Tuvalu government for continuously voicing support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the international arena, especially in important international organizations such as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
雙邊交流時，韓院長及在場立委與訪團就我國協助興建吐國國會大廈工程及其他多邊合作計畫等議題廣泛交換意見，氣氛友好愉快。此次拜會歷約1小時，雙方在合影及互贈紀念品後，由院長及委員陪同議長閣下伉儷及訪團成員至大門口、揮手道別，並再次祝福訪團行程順利，為今日會晤畫下圓滿的句點。
During the meeting, President Han and the legislators in attendance exchanged views on several issues, including Taiwan’s help of Tuvalu in constructing the Parliamentary Building and other multilateral cooperation projects, in a friendly and pleasant atmosphere. The meeting lasted approximately one hour. After taking group photos and exchanging souvenirs, it came to a successful end with President Han and legislators in attendance accompanying Mr. and Mrs. Italeli and the delegation members to the main gates waving goodbye and wishing them a smooth journey.
