TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A bipartisan delegation of Italian lawmakers met with officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Mainland Affairs Council this week to discuss bilateral relations and security in the Indo-Pacific.
The six-person delegation, led by the Chair of the House of Deputies’ Finance Committee, Marco Osnato, met with Deputy Minister Wu Chih-chung (吳志中) for a banquet on Thursday. They discussed areas where Taiwan and Italy can enhance cooperation, according to a MOFA press release.
Osnato said he was grateful for the warm reception the delegation has received in Taiwan. He said the visit is intended to demonstrate that the Italian Parliament recognizes the importance of ties with Taiwan and the need to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait.
Wu expressed thanks on behalf of Taiwan for the Italian parliament’s resolution passed in September, which voiced support for Taiwan’s increased international participation.
Wu said that Italy and Taiwan share many of the same values, and there is plenty of potential for cooperation. Both Wu and Osnato expressed their hopes the two countries will continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchanges.
On Friday, the Italian lawmakers met with the Vice Chair of the Mainland Affairs Council, Shen You-chung (沈有忠), to discuss cross-strait affairs, reported UDN. Shen told the lawmakers that Taiwan remains committed to ensuring regional stability and to strengthening partnerships with like-minded nations, such as Italy.
The delegation from Italy arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday and will depart on Saturday.