The visit of a delegation from the U.S.-based National Endowment for Democracy led by Damon Wilson, president and chief executive officer, is sincerely welcomed by the government and people of Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs March 28.
Wilson met with Premier Su Tseng-chang and attended a luncheon hosted by Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu. During his four-day visit, he will also meet with President Tsai Ing-wen and Legislative Yuan President You Si-kun, as well as take part in discussions with civic organizations.
According to the MOFA, this is Wilson’s first visit to Asia since assuming his current position last July. The fact that he chose Taiwan as his first stop demonstrates the importance he attaches to the country, the ministry added.
Wilson is set to announce that the NED will work with the capital-based Taiwan Foundation for Democracy and other local civic groups to host the global assembly of the World Movement for Democracy. The event slated for Oct. 24-27 in Taipei City shows Taiwan’s democracy is receiving international recognition and fulfills the undertaking to hold the event given at last December’s Summit for Democracy, the MOFA said.
During Wilson’s visit to the Executive Yuan, Su said the WMD’s general assembly will serve as a platform for unity and cooperation among democracies from around the world. It will further raise the profile of the universal values of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights in the international community, he added.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said “Minister Wu was delighted to host a #Taiwan welcome luncheon for @DamonMacWilson & the @NEDemocracy delegation. Table talk was friendly & warm, centering on the critically important tasks of boosting the democratic world’s response to authoritarianism & defending shared values.” (YCH-E)
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