Exchanges and communication between Taiwanese legislators and their counterparts abroad will further focus on the promotion of economic ties and the revealing of facts regarding China's interfering with Taiwan's activities in the international arena, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator You Ching (
You, who is chairman of the legislature's Exchange Association of Taiwanese and European Legislators, said that a group of 12 legislators from the ruling DPP and opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) have met successfully with influential German political figures, including Hermann Otto Solms, Vice President of the German parliament, and representatives of parliamentary caucuses of four major parties.
"We have expressed our appreciation of the German parliament's consistent refusal to lift the EU arms embargo against China," You said on Tuesday.
In addition, You said that legislators had kept abreast of the situation regarding a possible parliamentary election in September and how Taiwan could be affected by it.
Meanwhile, You said that legislators also revealed Taiwan's resolution to contribute to international society.
"We hope Germany can persuade other EU members to cultivate a rational attitude on issues pertaining to Taiwan's participation in major international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, like any other global villagers," You said.
DPP Legislator Chuang Suo-han (莊碩漢) said that China's hampering Taiwan from interacting with the rest of the world, such as through the promulgation of its "Anti-Secession" Law against Taiwan in March, had been clearly explained to the countries the group visited.
Berlin is the last stop for the group on their trip to Europe.
Previously, the group visited Australia, Belgium and France. In addition to exchanging opinions and viewpoints, KMT Legislator Justin Chou (周守訓) said Taiwan's parliamentary exchange program also deals with concrete matters like strengthening economic ties between Taiwan and other countries. Chou said that possible business opportunities involving Airbus were discussed with government officials in France and both sides verbally agreed to organize exchange visits of high-ranking officials in the future.
Similarly, business opportunities are also available to certain German enterprises in the renewable-energy industry.
"German enterprises have mature technologies pertaining to wind turbines and solar panels. Other nations should pay attention to Taiwan's goal of getting 12 percent of its electricity from renewable-energy sources by 2020," DPP Legislator Wang To-far (
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