立法院韓國瑜院長於本（11月13）日上午在國民黨萬美玲委員、民進黨羅美玲委員、民眾黨黃珊珊委員及國際事務處楊芳苓副處長等人陪同下，接見「捷克眾議院友台小組主席班達訪團」乙行4人，外交部吳志中政務次長、歐洲司林主恩副司長亦隨行陪同。
On the morning of November 13, President of the Legislative Yuan Daniel K.Y. Han, accompanied by KMT Legislator Wan Mei-Ling, DPP Legislator Loh Mei-Ling, TPP Legislator Huang Shan-Shan, and International Affairs Department Deputy Director Yang Fang-Ling, met with a four-member delegation from the Czech Republic-Taiwan Parliamentary Platform of the Czech Parliament Chamber of Deputies led by Chair Marek Benda; Deputy Minister François Wu Chih-Chung and Deputy Director-General Lin Zhu-En from the Department of European Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) also accompanied the delegation.
韓院長首先向班達主席表達熱忱的歡迎，並強調此次是班達主席第12次訪台，顯示出他對台灣的深厚情感。韓院長特別感謝班達主席在過去20年來持續支持台灣參與國際事務，並指出台灣與捷克雖然地理上相隔遙遠，但自去（2023）年7月18日台北與捷克首都布拉格開通直航後，兩國間的距離明顯拉近。隨著台灣前往捷克的遊客數增加了75%，也激發了身為「中華民國與捷克暨奧地利國會友好聯誼會」會長的萬美玲委員增加直航班次的構想。
President Han first extended a warm welcome to Chair Marek Benda and pointed out that it was Chair Benda's 12th visit to Taiwan, which shows his deep fondness for Taiwan. President Han thanked Chair Benda for his continued support for Taiwan on the international stage in the past 20 years, expressing that despite the geographic distance between Taiwan and the Czech Republic, exchanges between the two nations have increased, especially since the launch of direct flights between Taipei and Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, on July 18, 2023. The number of tourists from Taiwan to the Czech Republic has increased by 75%, which motivated Legislator Wan Mei-Ling, Chair of the Taiwan-Czech Republic and Austria Parliamentary Amity Association, to propose an increase of direct flights.
韓院長盛讚捷克的美景與人文風情，特別提到文學巨擘卡夫卡（Franz Kafka）以及具有深厚文學素養的前總統哈維爾（Václav Havel），這些人物皆為台灣民眾所熟知。尤其在台捷雙邊國會的積極推動下，台灣民眾對捷克愈發感興趣，並更樂意前往捷克觀光。韓院長接著逐一介紹今日出席的各黨派女性立法委員，並向訪賓說明本屆（第11屆）立法院113位委員中有47位女性委員，比例高達41%，突顯女性參政在台灣已是極為普遍的現象，亦展現我國對性別平等的高度重視。
President Han lauded the Czech Republic for its beautiful landscape and the distinctive traits of its people and culture. He mentioned figures well known to the people of Taiwan, such as the giant of literature Franz Kafka and former President Václav Havel, an accomplished author with deep knowledge of literature. In addition, President Han stressed that under the close collaboration between the parliaments of both nations, people of Taiwan have become more interested in the Czech Republic and are traveling to this nation more often. President Han continued by introducing the attending female legislators from all parties, and explained to the visiting guests that among the 113 members of the current (11th) legislature, 47 are female, accounting for 41% of the total seats, highlighting that female participation in politics has become a new norm in Taiwan and that Taiwan attaches great importance to gender equality.
班達主席感謝韓院長及跨黨派立法委員的撥冗接待，並強調這正是民主體制的展現，因為國與國的交流不分黨派，是跨越政治光譜的共同議題。他回顧了上世紀90年代兩國所經歷的民主化浪潮，並提到當時美國政治學者法蘭西斯‧福山（Francis Fukuyama）在《歷史之終結與最後之人》（The End of History and the Last Man）書中曾說，自由民主是人類社會演化的終點，是人類政府的最終形式，不會再有更好的選擇。如今看來，這只是過於樂觀的想像。專制國家如中國與俄國，破壞了國家之間和平共處的原則。因而，班達主席表示他更欣賞另一位政治學者杭廷頓（Samuel Huntington）在《文明的衝突》（The Clash of Civilizations）一文中提出的觀點，預示了國際政治中民主國家與專制國家之間不可避免的衝突升級。歷史的發展也證實，許多國家即便邁向民主化，仍可能在某些情況下倒退回專制體制。
In his remarks, Chair Benda thanked President Han and cross-party legislators for taking the time to receive the delegation, and he emphasized that it was a great example of democracy where nation-to-nation exchanges transcend party affiliation and require efforts from all parties. Chair Benda shared his views on the paths of democratization experienced by Taiwan and the Czech Republic in the 1990s and mentioned the American political scientist Francis Fukuyama, who pointed out in his book—The End of History and the Last Man—that freedom and democracy are the pinnacle of human social progress, representing the highest form of governance. No other option surpasses this. He said that such a vision, judging from what the world is like today, seems to be overly optimistic. Authoritarian countries such as China and Russia are undermining the pursuit of peaceful coexistence between nations. Chair Benda further pointed out that he favors more the views put forward by another political scientist, Samuel Huntington, in the thesis—The Clash of Civilizations. The thesis foreshadowed the inevitable escalation of conflicts between democratic nations and authoritarian ones, when it comes to international relations. He noted that over the course of history, it has been proven that it is possible for democratic countries to regress back to an authoritarian system under certain circumstances.
班達主席續謂，自己深信哈維爾前總統所倡導的以人權與自由至上的思想，因此拒絕支持任何極權體制。他認為，當前烏克蘭人民為抵抗侵略所作出的努力，也可視為他們正在為台灣而戰，因為一旦極權國家產生可以隨意侵略他國領土的想法，這類侵略行為便會不斷重演。他同時指出，俄國在2014年併吞烏克蘭的克里米亞領土時，正是由於西方國家的反對態度不夠堅定，才導致俄國今日再度入侵烏克蘭。他並感謝台灣與捷克合作，共同推動援助烏克蘭的計畫，並積極捐助善款。他相信即將上任的美國總統川普及由共和黨主導的美國國會，將會對獨裁政權採取更加堅定、有原則的立場。畢竟，1980年代在位的共和黨雷根總統曾力排眾議推動「星戰計畫」，最終導致蘇聯垮台，因此他深信正義力量終將戰勝邪惡勢力。
Chair Benda continued by stating that he firmly believes in the supremacy of human rights and freedom advocated by former President Havel, and therefore refuses to support any totalitarian system. He also pointed out that the efforts made by the Ukrainian people now in resisting foreign aggression can also be seen as a stand for Taiwan, because once totalitarian countries believe they can invade others at will, such aggression will only repeat itself time and again. Chair Benda also expressed that when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014—a violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine—it was precisely because Western countries were not taking a firm opposing stance, which led to Russia invading Ukraine again in recent years. On another note, Chair Benda also thanked Taiwan for cooperating with the Czech Republic in launching assistance in raising funds for Ukraine relief. He believes that the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, along with the GOP winning House majority, will take a firm and principled stance against authoritarian regimes. With that, Chair Benda closed by sharing that the U.S. Republican President Ronald Reagan, who was in office in the 1980s, launched the Star Wars program against all opposition, which eventually led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. In this regard, he believes that good will prevail and evil will be defeated.
萬美玲委員表示，她已前往捷克參訪達9次，歐洲首個造訪的城市便是捷克首都布拉格。在擔任立法院「中華民國與捷克暨奧地利國會友好聯誼會」會長後，藉由此職務，她得以與捷克展開更深入的交流，包括設立「先進晶片研究中心」，以及於去年啟動的「晶片驅動台灣產業創新方案」，促進台捷間的產業合作。此外，明（2025）年故宮文物將首次於捷克國家博物館展出，以「故宮百品的故事」為主題，展現雙方深厚友誼。再者，她的選區桃園市與捷克的布爾諾市（Brno）為姊妹市，因此她期盼能於明年陪同韓院長前往捷克，親自參加展覽開幕。
In her remarks, Legislator Wan Mei-Ling said that she has visited the Czech Republic 9 times, and Prague, its capital, was the first city she visited in Europe. She expressed that after assuming her position as the Chair of the Taiwan-Czech Republic and Austria Parliamentary Amity Association, she was able to carry out more in-depth exchanges between Taiwan and the Czech Republic. Examples included the establishment of the Advanced Chip Design and Research Center (ACDRC) and the Taiwan Chip-based Industrial Innovation Program (Taiwan CbI) launched in 2023, which have promoted industrial collaborations between the two nations. Legislator Wan added that the collection from the National Palace Museum (NPM) will be exhibited at the National Museum of the Czech Republic for the first time in 2025, in a special exhibition themed "100 Objects, 100 Stories: Treasures from the National Palace Museum." This collaboration demonstrates the profound friendship between Taiwan and Czech Republic. Legislator Wan also pointed out that Taoyuan City, her constituency, is a sister city to the City of Brno of the Czech Republic. Therefore, she looked forward to accompanying President Han on the visit to the Czech Republic in 2025 to personally attend the opening of the exhibition.
羅美玲委員感謝班達主席在國際上為台灣發聲，並指出台捷雙方因同樣面臨強權壓力，未來可在資安、對抗假訊息及境外勢力干擾等議題上加強交流。她同時期望訪團成員未來能持續為台灣發聲，支持我國有意義地參與國際組織。
Legislator Loh Mei-Ling thanked Chair Benda for voicing support for Taiwan on the international stage, and she pointed out that since Taiwan and the Czech Republic both face pressure from great powers, both sides can increase exchanges in the future on topics including information security, combating disinformation, and countering foreign interference. She also hoped that members of the visiting delegation will continue to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.
黃珊珊委員分享她擔任台北市議員期間，曾兩度前往捷克參訪，當時便希望布拉格與台北市能夠締結姊妹市。她在擔任副市長後終於實現了這個心願，並特別感謝當時的布拉格市長賀吉普（Zdeněk Hřib）頂住中國壓力，促成了此事。她深刻體會到民主同盟的重要性，並表示對於她所屬的台灣民眾黨而言，捷克是歐洲國家中最忠實的盟友。
Legislator Huang Shan-Shan shared that when she served as Taipei City Councilor, she visited the Czech Republic twice, and she looked forward to Prague and Taipei City signing the sister city agreement. This vision was fulfilled after she assumed office as the Deputy Mayor of Taipei City, and she was especially grateful to the then Mayor of Prague, Zdeněk Hřib, for resisting China's pressure and making this partnership possible. Legislator Huang added that she understood the importance of allies in defending democracy and pointed out that among European countries, the Czech Republic is the most trustworthy ally to the party she is affiliated to— Taiwan People's Party (TPP).
雙方隨後在會談中就國會外交、台捷直航、台積電於歐洲設廠相關供應鏈、故宮特展，以及深化雙邊企業合作、資安、醫療等議題深入交換意見。班達主席特別轉達捷克眾議長艾達莫娃（Markéta Pekarová Adamová）的邀請，期盼韓院長能於明年9月我國故宮特展期間親臨現場。韓院長表示，期待訪賓下次來台時能多留一些時間予立法院，以便雙方有機會透過餐敘方式更自在地交流。此次會談歷時約1小時，氣氛友好愉快，在雙方互贈禮品及合影後圓滿結束。
Both sides then engaged in an extensive exchange of views on various topics, including parliamentary diplomacy, direct flights between the two nations, supply chains related to TSMC's establishment of factories in Europe, special exhibitions at the National Palace Museum, as well as deepening bilateral collaboration on business development, information security, and medical care. In addition, Chair Benda conveyed the invitation from Chamber of Deputies Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová to President Han in hopes that he can visit the Czech Republic in person for the aforementioned exhibition to be held by the National Palace Museum in September 2025. In response, President Han hoped that the visiting guests could stay longer at the Legislative Yuan next time they visit Taiwan, so that the two sides can have more exchanges over a meal. The meeting lasted approximately 1 hour and concluded on a friendly and pleasant note, with both sides exchanging commemorative gifts and taking group photos to mark the occasion.
