TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Deputy legislative speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) on Tuesday voiced hopes for closer ties with Latvia during talks with a Latvian parliamentary delegation led by Ingrida Circene.

Chiang said Taiwan and Latvia uphold the values of democracy, freedom, and human rights, CNA reported. He expressed optimism about deeper parliamentary exchanges to strengthen friendship between the two countries and expand substantive cooperation.

He thanked Circene, chair of the Latvia–Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, and other members for their long-standing support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.

Chiang suggested Latvia could set up an office in Taiwan to serve as a key platform for bilateral cooperation. He added that the two sides could work together to address challenges in global trade and tariffs.

Circene said Taiwan–Latvia relations are built on shared values such as democracy and the rule of law. She noted that 18 of 100 Latvian lawmakers have joined the friendship group, showing Latvia’s attention to and support for Taiwan.

She added that bilateral cooperation spans social welfare, healthcare, and high-tech industries, and expressed hopes for Taiwan’s long-term stability and continued consolidation of democracy and peace.