TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Michael Gahler, chair of the European Parliament’s Taiwan Friendship Group, will lead a delegation to Taiwan from Jan. 4-9, Huang Chien-yao (黃鈞耀), director-general of the foreign ministry’s European Affairs Department, said on Tuesday.

The group, comprising 11 lawmakers, will meet with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and hold talks with the National Security Council, defense ministry, economic affairs ministry, and the Mainland Affairs Council, per CNA. The lawmakers will also attend a banquet hosted by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍).

The delegation will visit Taiwan’s semiconductor industry and take part in discussions on topics such as countering disinformation and bilateral trade cooperation. A trip to Kinmen is also scheduled to learn more about Taiwan’s situation.

Huang said that Gahler is a long-time supporter of Taiwan. Gahler has strived to promote parliamentary exchanges between Taiwan and the EU and expand pro-Taiwan networks within the European Parliament, Huang said. The parliamentarian also helped facilitate the passage of a resolution criticizing China’s misinterpretation of UNGA 2758 and its continued military provocations against Taiwan.

Huang added the foreign ministry welcomes the European Parliament’s continued concrete support for Taiwan. The ministry pledged to continue working with the EU and like-minded European partners to strengthen democratic resilience and build an alliance based on shared values.