Germany’s envoy to Taiwan expressed sorrow yesterday over his imminent departure, saying that he looks forward to returning to the nation soon.
“Although we love our Bavarian home, which is waiting for us, still my wife and I feel sad to leave ... beautiful Taiwan, with all its friendly people, magnificent nature, modern infrastructure and diverse society,” German Institute Taipei Director-General Michael Zickerick said.
The German envoy said at a farewell party in Taipei that the nation has given him three years of high-quality living.
Zickerick said that during his term here, the two nations signed a double-taxation avoidance agreement, as well as a pact that allows the transfer of each other’s nationals who have been sentenced to jail, which was signed in Taipei last year.
“We would like to thank all our friends and partners for their gracious support and kind sympathy,” he said.
“Also, from a distance in Bavaria, we will continue to follow the developments in Taiwan,” the envoy said.
“We certainly hope to be able to come back in the not-too-distant future,” he added.
As part of the farewell celebration, Zickerick presented medals to three Taiwanese in recognition of their efforts to improve the relationship between the two nations.
“Created in 2013, the German-Taiwanese Friendship Medal is an important new element in our partnership,” Zickerick said.
The recipients were Charlotte Han (韓宜靜), honorary president of the Sino-German Cultural and Economic Association; Angelika Chen (陳麗芬), chief executive and founder of Chieftek Precision Co; and Lee Der-tsai (李德財), president of National Chung Hsing University in Taichung and representative of the Humboldt Foundation in Taiwan.
Various dignitaries from diplomatic circles attended the party, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Vanessa Shih (史亞平), many European representatives and representatives from the American Institute in Taiwan.
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