March 9, 2015
No. 036
A delegation led by MP Peter Luykx, Co-Chair of the Belgium-Taiwan Friendship Group in the Belgian Parliament, is visiting the Republic of China (Taiwan) from March 9 to 13, 2015, at the invitation of the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The delegation will call at the Legislative Yuan, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Straits Exchange Foundation, New Taipei City Government, and Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), in addition to visiting two Belgian businesses: Barco Ltd. Taiwan and IMEC Taiwan Co. During the delegation’s stay, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Vanessa Y. P. Shih will host a banquet in their honor. The trip will provide delegation members a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s current political and economic trends, recent developments in cross-strait relations, the smart city concept, and the Belgian business community in Taiwan.
The Belgian Parliament adopted multiple resolutions in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2012 supporting Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, including the World Health Assembly and the International Civil Aviation Organization. Like other EU member states, Belgium has also often backed Taiwan’s efforts to ensure peace across the Taiwan Strait.
While strengthening bilateral parliamentary relations, MP Luykx, a longstanding and close friend of Taiwan, has supported Taiwan’s East China Sea Peace Initiative, the signing of investment and economic cooperation agreements with the European Union, and participation in international organizations. (E)