President Lai Ching-te received a delegation from Denmark’s Folketing at the Presidential Office Nov. 15 in Taipei City and anticipated expanding cooperation with the Nordic state in areas spanning green energy, net-zero transition, trade and economy.
According to the PO, the group was led by Pia Kjærsgaard, former parliament speaker and current head of the Taiwan friendship association, and comprised MPs Kim Aas, Steffen Larsen and Mikkel Bjørn. It was the first group from the law-making body to visit Taiwan since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Citing his video conference speech at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit this May, Lai said members of the free world need to strengthen freedom, democracy, economics, resilience and cooperation to benefit all. He said the visit by the Folketing delegation not only shows support for democratic Taiwan, but also further deepens bilateral ties and opens opportunities for future collaboration.
Praising Denmark as a global leader in offshore wind energy production, the president expressed appreciation for increased investment by Danish companies in Taiwan in recent years. Lai hoped that the two countries will continue cooperation and exchange to facilitate green energy transition and a sustainable environment; safeguard freedom and democracy; and strive for global prosperity and stability.
Lai said the issues of European and Indo-Pacific security and stability have become inseparable due to the expansion and convergence of authoritarian nations, while peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are closely related to global security and prosperity. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan is committed to maintaining regional peace and stability and protecting the values of freedom and democracy, he added.
In response, Kjærsgaard, visiting Taiwan for the ninth time since martial law was lifted in 1987, said that with Denmark’s experience in green energy development and Taiwan’s high tech prowess, the two sides can learn a lot from each other.
Denmark is a friend that Taiwan can count on for support, Kjærsgaard said, adding that her colleagues have fallen in love with Taiwan, and that she knows some of them will come back as tourists.
Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)
