Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu Welcomes French National Assembly Delegation, Thanks France for Speaking Up for Taiwan

(Central News Agency, reporter Liu Guanting, Taipei, June 9) Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu hosted a luncheon on Monday for a visiting delegation led by Estelle Youssouffa, Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly. Han expressed gratitude to French friends for their long-standing vocal support and assistance for Taiwan on the international stage. He noted that recent cases, including TSMC's establishment of a factory in Dresden, Germany, and Hon Hai's investment in France, demonstrate the deepening industrial cooperation and economic exchanges between Taiwan and Europe, particularly France.

The Legislative Yuan issued a press release on Monday stating that Han hosted the luncheon at noon, accompanied by Lin Chu-yin (DPP), President of the Taiwan-France Parliamentary Friendship Association; Hsu Yu-chen (KMT); and Hsu Chung-hsin (TPP). The delegation from the French National Assembly, led by Secretary Estelle Youssouffa, consisted of three people. Also in attendance were Director-General Chen Kuo-ching of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Director Cléa Le Cardeur of the French Office in Taipei.

Han first extended a warm welcome on behalf of the Legislative Yuan to Secretary Youssouffa and her delegation. He specifically mentioned that just two weeks prior, he had received a delegation led by Marie-Noëlle Battistel, President of the France-Taiwan Friendship Group in the French National Assembly. Welcoming French friends again so soon fully demonstrates the increasingly vibrant and profound parliamentary exchanges between Taiwan and France.

Han stated that during his own visit to the French National Assembly last month, he received a warm reception from the French side, deeply impressing upon him the continuously warming Taiwan-France friendship. As the Chinese saying goes, 'First time strangers, second time friends,' the interactions between the two sides have become as natural and familiar as old friends.

Han also thanked France for its long-standing vocal support and assistance for Taiwan on the international stage. He pointed out that although Taiwan is geographically small, it is a major technology hub. Recent examples, such as TSMC's factory in Dresden, Germany, and Hon Hai's investment in France, show the continuous deepening of industrial cooperation and economic exchanges between Taiwan and Europe, especially France. He noted that the Chinese character 'Fa' (法) symbolizes justice and fairness, praising France for its long-term defense of democratic and liberal values, and raised a toast to express a sincere welcome to the delegation.

Secretary Youssouffa expressed her great pleasure at returning to Taiwan and seeing many familiar faces. She noted that when President Han and legislators visited the French National Assembly recently, the French side was deeply honored. Now, the delegation's visit to Taiwan and the warm reception they have received further deepen the friendship and mutual trust between the two sides.

Youssouffa said that Taiwan's achievements in democratic development, technological innovation, and public governance are impressive. The French Parliament places great importance on its friendly relations with Taiwan. She stated that the security of the Taiwan Strait is not only crucial for regional stability but also for global security and prosperity. The purpose of this delegation's visit to Taiwan is to convey that there are always steadfast friends supporting Taiwan within the French National Assembly, and that both sides share core values such as democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.

Youssouffa expressed her hope to further promote Taiwan-France exchanges through parliamentary diplomacy and to encourage more Taiwanese companies to invest in France. She also mentioned that the French overseas territory islands she represents share the characteristics of an oceanic nation with Taiwan, giving her a particularly strong sense of affinity with Taiwan.

Following the speeches, the two sides exchanged gifts and posed for a group photo. During the luncheon, the participants engaged in a broad exchange of views on topics including Taiwan-France parliamentary exchanges, the Indo-Pacific security situation, cooperation among democratic nations, the resilience of technology supply chains, and economic and trade cooperation. (Editor: Su Lung-chi, Zhai Sijia) 1150609