The Presidential Office today released the first images of President William Lai (賴清德) and former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) together since the inauguration, as they met at the presidential residence yesterday to discuss topics including Tsai’s upcoming trip to Europe.
Tsai is to travel to the Czech Republic later this week to speak at a conference in Prague, in what is to be her first international trip since leaving office in May, local media reported yesterday.
According to a Mirror Media report, Tsai is to depart Taiwan on Saturday on an eight-day trip to the Czech Republic and two other unnamed European countries.
Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office
Tsai's office said in a statement late yesterday that it would make an official announcement to the public "if the relevant travel plans are confirmed."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was instructed to plan the trip, an unnamed official said, adding that National Security Council advisor Alex Huang (黃重諺) is to join the former president.
Another source with knowledge of the plans said that Tsai is planning to deliver a 10 to 15-minute speech at the "Forum 2000" conference being held in Prague from Sunday to Tuesday next week, and would not be taking questions from the press.
Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office
The annual conference, which was founded in 1996, describes itself as pursuing the legacy of former Czech president Vaclav Havel "by supporting the values of democracy and respect for human rights, assisting the development of civil society, and encouraging religious, cultural and ethnic tolerance."
The Presidential Office said the two met yesterday to discuss issues related to foreign affairs, national defense and international cooperation, while Tsai praised Lai’s efforts to raise the status of civilian defense efforts.
Lai also wished Tsai safe travels as she prepares to leave for Europe, it said.
An official familiar with the plans said that Lai has been pushing for the government to organize overseas visits for Tsai since the inauguration on May 20.
Since Lai as president is limited in his travel opportunities, he has pushed for Tsai to go on his behalf as his best possible representative, the official said.
By instructing the National Security Council to assist in the planning and sending Huang to accompany a former head of state, Lai hopes to raise the profile of the visit, they added.
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