European Economic and Trade Office to Taipei Director Frederic Laplanche yesterday praised Taiwan’s achievements in democracy and human rights, saying Taiwan is “the source of hope for the whole Chinese world.”
He made the remarks in a speech at a Taipei reception to commemorate Europe Day — the 64th anniversary of the announcement of the Schuman Declaration that precipitated the European integration process.
“We are so lucky to live in Taiwan. Living in Taiwan is really full of experiences and pleasures every day. Not only is it pleasant, it is also a place with which we share a lot of very important values, democracy and human rights,” Laplanche said at the conclusion of his speech.
In two weeks’ time, citizens of all EU member states will vote on who should represent them in the European Parliament, he said.
“This is democracy at work in Europe. In Taiwan, this is the very life of a democracy. This is the place where we cherish the level reached in terms of democracy and human rights. This is a model, this is a source of hope for the whole Chinese world, and this is I think what is at the heart of our policies,” he added.
Laplanche said that he expected talks on an investment agreement covering bilateral market access to be launched “as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, in response to media queries, Laplanche said the EU has continued to express its position on abolishing the death penalty to the Taiwanese government following the recent execution of five death-row inmates.
Taiwan is to receive the first batch of Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 jets from the US late this month, a defense official said yesterday, after a year-long delay due to a logjam in US arms deliveries. Completing the NT$247.2 billion (US$7.69 billion) arms deal for 66 jets would make Taiwan the third nation in the world to receive factory-fresh advanced fighter jets of the same make and model, following Bahrain and Slovakia, the official said on condition of anonymity. F-16 Block 70/72 are newly manufactured F-16 jets built by Lockheed Martin to the standards of the F-16V upgrade package. Republic of China
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