Legislative President You Xikun met with cross-party members of the lower house of the Swiss Federal Parliament and took a group photo with all the guests before the meeting.

(Photo by reporter Tian Yuhua)

[Reporter Su Yongyao/Taipei Report] Legislative President You Xikun received visiting cross-party members of the lower house of the Swiss Federal Parliament at noon today.

Molina, co-chairman of the Congressional Friendship Group to Taiwan, said in his speech that when he came to Taiwan, the mission was to convey a message that "democracy must win" in order to protect human rights, democracy and a pluralistic society.

Wade, the co-chairman of the Taiwan Friendship Group in Congress, also said in his speech that he hoped that the two countries could further deepen their relationship, such as signing a formal economic and trade agreement.

You Xikun said that this time he received two firsts, including the foreign parliamentarian group he met for the first time after the Lunar New Year, and the Swiss parliamentarian group he met for the first time as the President of the Legislative Council.

He also said that the Swiss parliamentarian's visit to Taiwan shows that the relationship between the two countries has reached a new milestone.

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Molina said that when they came to Taiwan, the mission was to convey a message that democracy must win in order to protect human rights, democracy, and a pluralistic society.

Taiwan, ruled by authoritarianism in the past and now under attack from China, is the place that understands democracy best.

After the Ukrainian-Russian War, global democracy and peace were affected, especially in Europe.

Therefore, Europe also has a mission to unite with democracies around the world, hoping to prevent this kind of thing from happening again, and Congress plays an important role in this.

Moliner also said that Switzerland and Taiwan have many things in common, apart from mountains and beautiful scenery, of course, including respect for democracy and the rule of law.

The delegation covered cross-party parties. Taiwan’s National Congress also understands the importance of cross-party cooperation. The Swiss Parliamentary Group for Friendship with Taiwan is one of the largest groups in the National Assembly, which demonstrates the importance of Taiwan to Switzerland.

The Swiss Parliament urged the government in 2021 to examine how to deepen relations with Taiwan, and this visit to Taiwan is also to examine how to achieve this goal.

Wade, another co-chairman of the Taiwan Congressional Friendship Group, said in his speech that the people of Taiwan are very brave and have always pursued a democratic and free way of life.

The Taiwan Friendship Group in the Swiss Parliament is also one of the most successful groups. 20% of the members of the parliament are members of the group, representing Switzerland's desire to strengthen cooperation with Taiwan.

When the delegation met with President Tsai yesterday, they also emphasized that strengthening relations with Taiwan is the goal of this trip, including the hope that the two countries can sign a formal economic and trade agreement.

He also emphasized that this is based on the two countries sharing values ​​including democracy. Democracy is not only a theoretical moral issue, but also related to survival.

Both Russia and China threaten our lives, and everyone should think about how to respond.

Wade also invited Legislative President You Xikun to visit Switzerland to strengthen the cooperation between the two congresses.

The delegation was jointly led by Fabian Molina and Nicolas Walder, the lower house of the Swiss Federal Parliament and the co-chairs of the Taiwan Friendship Group. Members also included Yves Nidegger, Artich (Mustafa Atici), Leonore Porchet and other three cross-party MPs; except Niederge who was invited to visit Taiwan in the past, the rest of the members are visiting Taiwan for the first time.