TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan and Germany are like-minded partners, and Taipei can help Europe strengthen security and rebuild industry, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said Monday.
Speaking during a meeting with a five-member German delegation led by Green Party lawmaker Till Steffen, Lin thanked Germany’s parliament for supporting Taiwan-Germany ties. He said cooperation in key technologies has grown, and TSMC’s Dresden investment will strengthen democratic supply chains between Taiwan and Europe.
“Taiwan has key strengths in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing,” Lin said. He added that Taiwan can help Europe meet its goals for rebuilding industry and improving defense.
Lin said Taiwan will keep working with democratic partners to protect peace in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific. He said the country will continue to build up its defense.
Steffen said this was his sixth visit in recent years and his second this year. The foreign ministry said the Taiwan friendship group is one of the nation’s strongest support groups in the German parliament.
Steffen said Taiwan-Germany exchanges should not be affected by China’s interference. He said German lawmakers will keep working to deepen friendship and cooperation with the country.
“Germany cares deeply about Taiwan Strait security and stronger economic cooperation with Taiwan,” Steffen said. He added that both sides can learn from each other as they face pressure from authoritarian states.
Deutsche Welle reported that the delegation will stay until Sunday and meet President Lai Ching-te (賴清德). The lawmakers come from four political groups across Germany’s political spectrum and are members of a German parliamentary friendship group focused on ties with Taiwan.
