立法院江啟臣副院長於本（8月12）日下午在「台灣與北歐五國及波羅的海三國國會議員友好協會」會長邱志偉委員、國民黨陳永康委員、民進黨郭昱晴委員、民眾黨林國成委員、國際事務處楊芳苓副處長及外交部吳志中政務次長、歐洲司李秀窈副秘書長等人陪同下，接見「拉脫維亞國會友台小組」一行8人。

On the afternoon of August 12, Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang of the Legislative Yuan, accompanied by Chair of the Taiwan-Nordic Countries and Baltic States Parliamentary Friendship Association Legislator Dr. Chiu Chih-Wei, KMT Legislator Adm. Chen Yeong-Kang, DPP Legislator Kuo Yu-Ching, Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Lin Kuo-Chen, Deputy Director-General Yang Fang-Ling of the Department of International Affairs, Deputy Minister Amb. François Chihchung Wu, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Department of European Affairs Josephine Lee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with an eight-member delegation from the Latvia-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group.

江副院長首先代表立法院及韓國瑜院長，誠摯歡迎訪賓蒞臨，隨後偕同在場委員與訪團成員合影留念，並特別以來自台中的知名太陽餅致贈訪賓。江副院長表示，台灣與拉脫維亞雖相隔遙遠，但人民彼此並不陌生，雙方同樣秉持民主、自由與人權的價值理念。特別感謝齊翠蓮（Ingrīda Circene）主席及友台小組成員，長期支持台灣參與「世界衛生大會」（WHA）及「世界衛生組織」（WHO）等國際組織，並期盼藉由持續深化國會交流，進一步強化兩國人民情誼與實質合作。

Vice President Chiang, on behalf of the Legislative Yuan and President Daniel K.Y. Han, extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation. He then joined the attending legislators in a group photograph with the delegation members and presented the guests with Taichung’s renowned sun cakes as a token of appreciation. Vice President Chiang remarked that although Taiwan and Latvia are geographically distant, their peoples are far from strangers, as both sides uphold the shared values of democracy, freedom, and human rights. He expressed particular gratitude to Chair Ingrīda Circene and the members of the Latvia-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group for their longstanding support of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations such as the World Health Assembly (WHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). He further conveyed his hope that continued deepening of parliamentary exchanges would strengthen the bonds of friendship between the peoples of the two countries and advance substantive cooperation.

江副院長指出，希望未來雙邊民間與政府關係更進一步，期盼拉脫維亞政府能在台設立辦事處，作為推動雙邊合作的重要平台，進而促進教育、經貿及文化等領域交流。拉國身為歐盟成員，與台灣在面對國際經貿環境及關稅挑戰上，可共同研議多元合作方案。江副院長最後鼓勵訪團在台期間多體驗台灣美食與地方風貌，深化對台灣的認識。

Vice President Chiang emphasized his expectation of bilateral relations between civil society and governments being further advanced in the future. He expressed the hope that the Latvian government might establish an office in Taiwan as an important platform to promote bilateral cooperation, thereby fostering exchanges in education, trade, and culture. As a member of the European Union, Latvia can work with Taiwan to explore diverse avenues of cooperation in addressing challenges in the international trade environment and tariff regimes. Vice President Chiang concluded by encouraging the delegation to experience Taiwan’s culinary delights and local scenery during their stay, thereby deepening their understanding of the nation.

齊翠蓮主席致詞時表示，此行團員均係首次訪台，而她本人則是第四度來訪。台拉關係建立於共享價值之上，雙方在人權、民主及法治等層面理念相近。她指出，拉脫維亞國會100名議員中，已有18人加入友台小組，顯示對台灣的重視與支持。自20年前她開始關注台灣事務以來，雙邊合作議題已由社會福利、醫療照護及文化組織，拓展至國防工業、高科技產業、無人機、人工智慧（AI）與經濟等面向。雙方科技合作早自2000年教育科學部與台灣簽署合作綱領為啟動契機，內容涵蓋國家科技與研發政策交流，以及學生與學者互訪。齊翠蓮主席最後表示期盼台灣長治久安，永續鞏固民主與和平。

In her remarks, Chair Ingrīda Circene noted that while this was the first visit to Taiwan for the other members of the delegation, it marked her own fourth visit. She underscored that Latvia-Taiwan relations are founded upon shared values, with both sides closely aligned in their commitment to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. She highlighted that 18 of the 100 members of the Latvian Parliament have joined the Latvia-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, underscoring Latvia’s strong attention to and support for Taiwan. Since she first began engaging with Taiwan affairs 20 years ago, bilateral cooperation has expanded from areas such as social welfare, healthcare, and cultural organizations to now encompass defense industries, high-tech sectors, unmanned aerial vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI), and the economy. She noted that bilateral cooperation in science and technology was first launched in 2000, when the Ministry of Education and Science signed a cooperation framework with Taiwan. This initiative encompassed exchanges on national science and research policies, as well as reciprocal visits by students and scholars. Chair Circene concluded by expressing her hope for Taiwan’s enduring stability and the continued strengthening of its democracy and peace.

柯茨瑪（Irma Kalniņa）議員表示，當前世界各國均面對嚴峻的國際局勢，包含拉脫維亞在內的波羅的海三國、波蘭及瑞典是面對俄國擴張威脅的第一線，拉脫維亞已將國防預算提升至GDP的5%，雖對經濟造成壓力，仍堅持支持烏克蘭，並相信歷史將肯定此一選擇。羅布格（Ugis Rotbergs）議員則強調，國防安全是拉國首要關切議題，因位處關鍵地帶，拉國與台灣同樣面臨混合式戰爭威脅及海底電纜等基礎設施安全維護挑戰，須透過盟邦合作強化防護與應變能力。

Legislator Irma Kalniņa observed that nations across the world are currently confronted with grave international challenges. She emphasized that Latvia, together with the other two Baltic States, Poland, and Sweden, stands on the front line in facing the threat of Russian expansion. Latvia has increased its defense budget to 5 percent of GDP, and although this places pressure on Latvia’s economy, it remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine, with confidence that history will vindicate this choice. Legislator Ugis Rotbergs underscored that national defense and security are Latvia’s foremost concerns. Owing to its strategic location, Latvia—like Taiwan—faces threats of hybrid warfare as well as challenges in safeguarding critical infrastructure such as undersea cables. He stressed the necessity of enhancing protection and response capabilities through cooperation with allied partners.

雙邊交流時，邱志偉委員提及，去（2024）年率團訪問拉國時，與多位在座議員會晤並獲熱情接待，充分展現雙邊國會關係緊密。他並指出，台拉雙方同樣珍視民主、自由與人權，並且同處嚴峻的地緣政治環境，波羅的海三國面臨俄羅斯威脅，情勢與台灣頗為相似。此外，雙方在高科技及半導體產業具備互補優勢，未來可在無人機、無人艦艇等不對稱作戰領域深化合作，並期盼建立常態化的國會交流平台，以探討共同關切的議題。

During the bilateral exchanges, Legislator Dr. Chiu Chih-Wei recalled leading a delegation to Latvia in 2024, where he met with several of the legislators present and was warmly received, a testament to the close ties between the two parliaments. He further noted that both Taiwan and Latvia cherish democracy, freedom, and human rights, and that they share similarly challenging geopolitical environments, with the Baltic States facing threats from Russia in a situation closely resembling that of Taiwan. He added that Taiwan and Latvia possess complementary strengths in the high-tech and semiconductor industries, offering opportunities to deepen cooperation in areas of asymmetric warfare such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and unmanned vessels. He also expressed the hope of establishing a regular parliamentary exchange platform to address issues of common concern.

陳永康委員指出，當前國際局勢複雜多變，台拉兩國同樣面臨外部威脅與安全挑戰，必須在國防安全與科技創新上持續加強合作。他強調，除提升國防硬體外，亦應強化資通訊科技與關鍵基礎設施的防護能力，並將民主與法治作為應用科技與制定政策的重要基礎。同時，應積極發展無人航空載具（Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, UAV）、無人水下載具（Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, UUV）等新興技術，並深化教育交流，以全面提升雙邊合作能量。

Legislator Chen Yeong-Kang observed that the current international situation is complex and volatile, with both Taiwan and Latvia facing external threats and security challenges. He stressed the necessity of continued strengthening of cooperation in national defense and technological innovation. He emphasized that beyond enhancing defense hardware, it is also essential to strengthen the protection of information and communications technology and critical infrastructure, while ensuring that democracy and the rule of law serve as the foundation for applying technology and formulating policy. At the same time, he advocated for actively developing emerging technologies such as UAVs and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), while also deepening educational exchanges to comprehensively enhance the scope and capacity of bilateral cooperation.

郭昱晴委員表示，感謝去年訪拉時友台小組的熱情接待，並讚許拉國優美的環境與對台深厚情誼。她認為雙方在面臨相似地緣政治挑戰與共享民主、自由、人權價值的基礎上，可在教育與半導體等領域強化合作，透過人才與產業鏈互補，進一步鞏固雙邊關係。

Legislator Kuo Yu-Ching expressed her gratitude for the warm reception extended by the Latvia-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group during her visit last year, and commended Latvia’s beautiful environment and its profound friendship toward Taiwan. She observed that, grounded in their shared values of democracy, freedom, and human rights, and in light of their similar geopolitical challenges, the two sides can strengthen cooperation in areas such as education and semiconductors. By fostering talent exchanges and complementary industrial supply chains, bilateral relations can be further consolidated.

林國成委員憶及曾以台北市議員身分訪問拉國，對當地文化與建設印象深刻。他期盼未來在人文、經貿等領域建立更緊密合作，讓國會互動拓展至民間與產業層級，形成全方位夥伴關係。

Legislator Lin Kuo-Chen recalled his visit to Latvia as a Taipei City Councilor, noting that he was deeply impressed by the country’s culture and development. He expressed the hope that closer cooperation could be established in fields such as culture and trade, extending parliamentary interactions to the societal and industrial levels, thereby fostering a comprehensive partnership.

雙方並就國會外交、國防安全、自我防衛、高科技產業、經貿及教育合作等議題，廣泛且深入地交換意見。會晤歷時約60分鐘，在致贈紀念品與合影留念後圓滿結束。

The two sides also engaged in extensive and in-depth exchanges of views on issues including congressional diplomacy, national defense and security, self-defense, high-tech industries, trade and economic cooperation, and educational collaboration. The meeting lasted approximately 60 minutes and concluded successfully with the exchange of commemorative gifts and a group photograph.