TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Democratic countries must resist pressure from China and ensure Taiwan is not left alone, Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil said Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference at the foreign ministry on the final day of his Taiwan visit, Vystrcil said leaders must not give in to Chinese pressure. He said countries should not fall under another country’s control and politicians must protect their citizens’ interests.
CNA reported that Vystrcil said his visit came at the invitation of Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜). He said it also followed a Czech Senate resolution calling for stronger ties with Taiwan, which was supported by 54 of the 68 senators present.
Vystrcil said his delegation flew to Taiwan on a direct China Airlines flight between Prague and Taipei. He said the route was one result of his 2020 visit and added that he hoped flights could become daily in the future.
On economic ties, Vystrcil said Taiwan’s plan to add 50 million euros to investment programs in the Czech Republic would help companies from both sides enter each other’s markets. He said the Czech Republic would support the plan and that cooperation must be based on trust.
Vystrcil said the Czech government did not provide a special plane for the trip, so he traveled with his own backpack and luggage. He said his delegation of more than 40 business and academic representatives had already achieved results by the final day of the visit.
Vystrcil said Taiwan and the Czech Republic can strengthen resilience in three main areas. He said they should improve common security, increase competitiveness through technology and trade, and diversify markets.
Vystrcil said Taiwan can offer the Czech Republic strengths in technology and semiconductors. He said Taiwan can also benefit from stronger ties with Europe, while both sides can work together to defend the international order.
Asked whether Taiwan-Czech cooperation could include drones, Vystrcil said military cooperation was not part of his authority. He said drones were not discussed during the visit, but Taiwan and the Czech Republic have room to cooperate on drone technology.
