Visiting Czech Senate Vice President Jiri Drahos said that developing modern technologies with Taiwan is of the utmost importance.
In a meeting with President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday at the Presidential Office in Taipei, the two leaders praised mutual cooperation and expressed the hope for even stronger ties.
Taiwan and the Czech Republic “have fostered close bilateral exchanges and fruitful cooperation” based on the shared values of democracy, freedom and human rights, Lai said.
Photo: CNA
The National Palace Museum and the National Museum in Prague on Wednesday signed an exhibition cooperation deal, while Taiwan is working to establish its first overseas IC design training base in the Czech capital, Lai said, highlighting ongoing bilateral partnerships.
“Moving forward, industrial and cultural interactions between Taiwan and the Czech Republic are sure to become increasingly vibrant,” he said.
Lai thanked the Czech Senate for passing resolutions that supported Taiwan’s bid to participate in the WHO as an observer for the past four years.
Photo: CNA
The president lauded Drahos for promoting direct flights between the Czech Republic and Taiwan after they became a reality in July last year.
The number of Taiwanese who visited the Czech Republic in the first quarter grew by 75 percent compared with the same period last year, Lai said.
He added that such an accomplishment would foster increased interactions between the two nations across all sectors.
Drahos, who arrived in Taiwan on Monday for a six-day visit, shared similar views while emphasizing the Czech Republic’s eagerness to collaborate with Taiwan on semiconductors and advanced technologies.
Soliciting investment from suppliers of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) in the Czech Republic is one of the main purposes of the delegation’s trip to Taiwan that ends today.
“The Czech Republic is ready to be part of [Taiwan’s] semiconductor ecosystem,” he said, describing his nation as “a reliable partner to invest in, especially in the chip industry.”
Separately, Drahos presided over the Czech Centre Taipei commencement ceremony yesterday.
The center officially launched with an exhibition of Czech photographs.
Drahos said bilateral relations should not be limited to scientific and industrial cooperation, adding that he looks forward to seeing more cultural exchanges facilitated by the new center through events in art, music, literature and other areas.
Additional reporting by Su Yung-yao
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