Ministry of Foreign Affairs Welcomes European Youth Political Leaders, Hopes to Strengthen Substantive Taiwan-Europe Relations

Central News Agency (Taipei, May 13) - Taiwan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wu Chih-chung, yesterday hosted a welcome reception for the first group of youth political leaders under the "2026 European Values in Practice (EVIP) Program," welcoming 10 important youth political leaders from Europe to visit Taiwan. Wu Chih-chung stated that Taiwan hopes to continue working with European countries to defend democracy and peace, strengthen substantive Taiwan-Europe relations, and jointly contribute to the world.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today issued a press release stating that Wu Chih-chung yesterday hosted a welcome reception for 10 important youth political leaders from Albania, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Kosovo, Lithuania, Montenegro, Romania, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, who are visiting Taiwan from May 10 to 19.

Wu Chih-chung said in his speech that Taiwan-Europe relations have flourished in recent years, and European countries' support for Taiwan has significantly increased. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim was invited to attend the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) Brussels Annual Meeting in November last year, marking the first time a Taiwanese vice president delivered a speech at the European Parliament.

Wu Chih-chung said that he himself was recently invited by the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) to attend a regular meeting to explain the latest situation in the Taiwan Strait. These are important milestones in the development of Taiwan-Europe relations. Taiwan's economic strength ranks among the top 20 globally, especially playing a key role in the global economy, trade, and high-tech supply chains. Taiwan's success in the semiconductor industry is not achieved alone but is the result of joint efforts with important European partners including the Netherlands, France, and Germany.

Nils Aucante, the head of the delegation and Mayor of Yvoy-le-Marron, France, delivered a speech on behalf of the delegation, stating that he had previously worked as a journalist and reported in Haiti, Guatemala, and other places, recognizing Taiwan's successful international cooperation and participation model. Whenever these countries experienced major disasters, Taiwan always rushed to the disaster areas for rescue at the first opportunity, and this omnipresent steadfast force is moving.

Aucante stated that one of the most important purposes of this visit is to understand how Taiwan continues to strengthen democratic resilience in a complex international situation and to unite like-minded partners. He hopes that the delegation members will become important links in the Taiwan-Europe political network in the future, further promoting bilateral exchanges between Taiwan and Europe in more areas.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this year, for the first time, it cooperated with the International Cooperation and Development Fund to share Taiwan's achievements and experiences in open government, digital participation, public-private collaborative innovation, and technology industry development with European youth leaders on the theme of "digital governance." The reception also invited representatives from the visiting delegation's affiliated resident institutions, public and private sectors, political parties, think tanks, and non-profit organizations to participate, with warm and friendly interactions on site. (Editor: Zhai Sijia) 1150513

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