Foreign Minister Joseph Wu says the government will help Taiwanese citizens evacuate from Italy if necessary. Wu was speaking Tuesday at the legislature.
Of the roughly 450 Taiwanese in Italy, Wu said about 200 of them are students, while the rest are businesspeople and Taiwanese expats. Wu said Taiwan’s representative office in Italy has maintained close contact with them and will offer necessary assistance.
A Taiwanese businessman in Italy urged the government to arrange a chartered flight to evacuate Taiwanese citizens stranded there. But Wu said because Italy has suspended aviation links with Taiwan, there are difficulties in doing so.
Currently, there are no Taiwanese tour groups in Italy. Wu said the foreign ministry issued a red light for travel to Italy in late February.