Latvian Parliament's Taiwan Friendship Group Chair Ingrīda Circene Awarded Friendship Diplomacy Medal
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs awarded the "Friendship Diplomacy Medal" to Ingrīda Circene, Chair of the Latvian Parliament's Taiwan Friendship Group, in recognition of her long-standing support for Taiwan's international participation. Circene strongly advocated for Taiwan's involvement in organizations like the WHO and ICAO, and expanded the Friendship Group to 24 members. Taiwan and Latvia share democratic, free, and rule-of-law values, contributing to the development of bilateral relations.
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- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 18:43
- 🔍 Collected: April 10, 2026 at 19:00 (17 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 21:52 (122h 52m after Collected)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this afternoon that Ko Pao-hsuan, on behalf of Minister Joseph Wu, presented the "Friendship Diplomacy Medal" to Ingrīda Circene, Chair of the Latvian Parliament's Taiwan Friendship Group, to commend her long-term support for Taiwan's international participation. A luncheon was also held to welcome Circene and her visiting delegation.
Ko Pao-hsuan stated in his speech that he thanked Circene for continuously co-signing the "Formosa Club" joint letter to the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) for three consecutive years since 2023, strongly advocating for Taiwan's participation in the WHO. She has also consistently shown firm support for Taiwan's participation in other international organizations such as the United Nations, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Ko Pao-hsuan mentioned that during Circene's tenure as Chair of the Taiwan Friendship Group, she successfully expanded the current parliamentary Taiwan Friendship Group to 24 members, setting a new historical high, and has spared no effort in promoting Taiwan-Latvia bilateral relations. Although Taiwan and Latvia are geographically distant, they share values such as democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. He believes that Taiwan-Latvia relations will continue to flourish on the existing sound foundation.
Circene stated that Taiwan and Latvia not only share values but also have similar historical backgrounds in democratization. Both countries are frontline nations in the democratic struggle against authoritarianism, jointly facing challenges from unfriendly and powerful neighbors, and deeply appreciate the importance of freedom and democracy. Taiwan is one of the most progressive countries in the world, and she hopes Taiwan continues to enjoy peace and prosperity. Latvia will continue to show its firm support for Taiwan.
Circene also affirmed the "Taiwan-Latvia-Lithuania Science and Technology Cooperation Fund," jointly established by Taiwan, Latvia, and Lithuania in 2000, which has successfully deepened trilateral scientific research cooperation for over 20 years. She looks forward to Taiwan and Latvia continuing to deepen connections in high-tech, AI, economy and trade, research, education, and medical fields in the future.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that during their visit to Taiwan, the delegation met with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, visited Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien, Deputy Minister of Environment Hsieh Yen-ju, and cross-party legislators, and engaged in exchanges with representatives of groups in Taiwan's democratic resilience and AI fields. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150410
Ko Pao-hsuan stated in his speech that he thanked Circene for continuously co-signing the "Formosa Club" joint letter to the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) for three consecutive years since 2023, strongly advocating for Taiwan's participation in the WHO. She has also consistently shown firm support for Taiwan's participation in other international organizations such as the United Nations, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Ko Pao-hsuan mentioned that during Circene's tenure as Chair of the Taiwan Friendship Group, she successfully expanded the current parliamentary Taiwan Friendship Group to 24 members, setting a new historical high, and has spared no effort in promoting Taiwan-Latvia bilateral relations. Although Taiwan and Latvia are geographically distant, they share values such as democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. He believes that Taiwan-Latvia relations will continue to flourish on the existing sound foundation.
Circene stated that Taiwan and Latvia not only share values but also have similar historical backgrounds in democratization. Both countries are frontline nations in the democratic struggle against authoritarianism, jointly facing challenges from unfriendly and powerful neighbors, and deeply appreciate the importance of freedom and democracy. Taiwan is one of the most progressive countries in the world, and she hopes Taiwan continues to enjoy peace and prosperity. Latvia will continue to show its firm support for Taiwan.
Circene also affirmed the "Taiwan-Latvia-Lithuania Science and Technology Cooperation Fund," jointly established by Taiwan, Latvia, and Lithuania in 2000, which has successfully deepened trilateral scientific research cooperation for over 20 years. She looks forward to Taiwan and Latvia continuing to deepen connections in high-tech, AI, economy and trade, research, education, and medical fields in the future.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that during their visit to Taiwan, the delegation met with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, visited Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien, Deputy Minister of Environment Hsieh Yen-ju, and cross-party legislators, and engaged in exchanges with representatives of groups in Taiwan's democratic resilience and AI fields. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150410