President Chen Shui-bian (
"Now that the EU countries have assisted Taiwan in becoming a member of the WTO," Chen said while receiving former Dutch Prime Minister Aderas Van Agt at the Presidential Office, "we hope they will now help make Taiwan's observer status at the WHO a reality."
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
During the meeting, Chen expressed Taiwan's appreciation to the Netherlands for the ongoing enhancement in their trade relationship and for their military cooperation.
"The submarines we purchased from the Netherlands, which have outstanding capabilities, have upgraded our navy's anti-submarine and air defense capability," Chen told guests.
Chen told Agt that it would be easier for Taiwan, already a member in good standing of the international community in terms of medical and health care to its people, to contribute more to global medical and health efforts if it joined the WHO.
Taiwan became a full member of the WTO on Jan. 1 this year.
Responding to President Chen, Agt stressed that Taiwan is a fine example of democratic development not only for Asia, but for the entire world, promising he would push his country and the EU to follow the US Congress, which has publicly supported Taiwan's bid for WHO observer status.
"Taiwan is a state with democracy and human rights," Agt said, "which is the biggest difference between it and its neighbor."
Chen, who is also a former lawyer and is a long-term advocate of human rights, said that after becoming president two years ago, he decided making Taiwan "a nation of human rights" as one of his top administrative goals.
Chen also mentioned that he and Agt have created a unique friendship since their first Taipei meeting in 2000, when Chen was running for the presidency.
During the rendezvous yesterday, Chen told Agt that he hoped at some point to have the opportunity to visit the Netherlands.
"Due to the success of Vice President Annette Lu's (
The Minister of Foreign Affairs is now planning a diplomatic trip for Chen to visit Taiwan's African allies, and a source from the Presidential Office said that Chen hoped to arrange a stopover in Europe.
Agt said he would spare no effort in pushing for European support for Taiwan's bid to join the WHO, adding that on this issue, EU members should follow the example of the US Congress by transforming "ideas" into pragmatic action.
Siebe Klaas Schuur, head of the Netherlands' trade office in Taiwan, accompanied Agt during his audience at the Presidential Office.
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