The visit by a five-member Austrian Parliamentary delegation is sincerely welcomed by the government and people of Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sept.13.
The contingent led by Austrian National Council member Carmen Jeitler-Cincelli includes cross-party parliamentarians Andreas Minnich, Peter Weidinger, Corinna Scharzenberger and Fiona Fiedler. This is the first legislative group from the country to visit Taiwan since the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the five-day visit, the group’s itinerary includes a meeting with Legislative Yuan President You Si-kun, a banquet hosted by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roy Chun Lee and visits with Minister of Environment Shieu Fuh-sheng and Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs Lee Huai-jen.
The lawmakers will also call at Taipei City-based Institute for National Defense and Security Research, United Microelectronics Corp. headquartered in northern Taiwan’s Hsinchu Science Park, Taipei Computer Association, Taiwan Equality Campaign in Taipei and the National Human Rights Museum in New Taipei City, exchanging views with local government officials and experts on bilateral economic, industrial, social, political and human rights issues, the MOFA said.
According to the ministry, the group’s visit reflects the importance members place on cross-strait relations and their determination to uphold a free and democratic global society. Fiedler, in particular, previously signed a Formosa Club joint letter to World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that called for Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health Assembly, the MOFA said.
Austria is Taiwan’s seventh-largest trade partner among EU member countries, with last year’s bilateral trade volume growing 7 percent year on year to reach US $1.7 billion. The fastest growth has been seen in the semiconductor and automotive sectors.
Taiwan and Austria share the universal values of democracy, freedom and respect for human rights, the MOFA said, adding that the visit is expected to further deepen two-way ties. (POC-E)
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