Chen honors foreign dignitaries

Two European parliamentarians were granted one of the nation's highest civilian honors, the Order of the Brilliant Star, by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday. The medals were giving to mark their contributions to improving Taipei's relations with their respective countries, sources said.

Hans van Baalen, a member of the Netherlands House of Representatives and Gustavo Selva, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Italian Parliament, received the award from the president yesterday at the Presidential Office, a press release said.

In his acceptance speech, van Baalen said it was a great honor to receive the award from Chen's hand, adding: "This is out of the hands of a democratically elected chief representative of the people of Taiwan."

Van Baalen lauded Taiwan's democracy and human rights, saying: "Taiwan should be recognized as a strong democracy in Asia and as a beacon for the people of China, Hong Kong and Macau and for Asia as a whole."

Van Baalen also denounced a common understanding within the European Union (EU) which allows EU member states to deny visas to Taiwan's five highest-ranking officials.

"This is unacceptable because it runs contrary to our own core values," said Van Baalen, who also serves as the vice president of Liberal International, a London-based federation of some 84 liberal political parties from 67 countries.

He urged all democrats in the EU to fight for the lifting of the visa ban.

Chen echoed Van Baalen's view, saying that it was a pity that he, as a democratically elected president, is deprived of the right to travel freely. Chen expressed his wish that Taiwan and the Netherlands work together to realize a related resolution passed by the European Parliament on April 11.

Part of the European Parliament resolution repeatedly calls for EU member states to issue visas to Taiwan's highest-ranking officials for private visits, after EU members' refusal last November to grant a visa to President Chen.

The Dutch parliamentarian also expressed his support for Taiwan's bid to join international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Italian parliamentarian Gustavo Selva, during his meeting with Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) yesterday, said the Foreign Affairs Office of the Italian Parliament would endeavor to assist Taiwan with its bid to join international organizations, especially the WHO, another Presidential Office press release said.

Selva received the Order of the Brilliant Star yesterday for his contributions to better Rome-Taipei ties.