TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) is expected to embark on an eight-day visit to the Czech Republic and other European nations on Oct. 12.
Tsai will attend and deliver a speech at the Forum 2000 in Prague, with this year's theme “Proving Democracy's Resolve and Resilience.” Tsai originally planned a trip to Europe in August or September, but due to elections in several European countries, she chose to leave in October, Liberty Times reported. Due to security concerns, Tsai's travel plans will be arranged upon arrival in Europe.
Two diplomatic sources told Reuters that Tsai will also visit France and Belgium.
Taiwan's National Security Council and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been tasked with planning the trip and providing necessary assistance, including security, the Presidential Office said on Monday (Oct. 7). President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) hoped the visit would continue to deepen the friendship between Taiwan and European countries, the office said.
Before her presidency, Tsai participated in the Forum 2000 in 2004 as the Mainland Affairs Council minister. After taking office, she delivered remarks at the forum via recorded messages.
Taiwan's ties with Europe have grown closer in recent years. Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) visited the Czech Republic, Poland, and Lithuania in March before she became vice president, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During Hsiao's trip, she met with European parliamentarians, including Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil, Lithuanian Seimas Speaker Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, and Polish Senate Deputy Marshal Michał Kaminski. She also engaged with parliamentarians from the three Baltic nations.
Hsiao reaffirmed Taiwan’s partnership with European democracies and called for stronger cooperation in democratic supply chains.
In January, Czech President Petr Pavel became the first European head of state to congratulate Taiwan on the election. Last year, Pavel criticized China for escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait and called for the peaceful resolution of disputes at the 78th UN General Assembly.
In October 2023, Cmilyte-Nielsen led a delegation of Lithuanian government officials and business representatives to Taiwan to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
