President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) received an Estonian parliamentary delegation led by Estonia-Taiwan Friendship Group Chairman Kristo Enn Vaga in the Presidential Office on Thursday.
In her welcoming remarks, Tsai expressed gratitude towards Vaga for his consistent support for Taiwan's global engagement, both in public and on social media. She also extended appreciation to the Estonian government and the parliamentary friendship group for backing Taiwan's membership in the World Health Organization (WHO) for four consecutive years.
Tsai stated that Taiwan and Estonia both uphold universal principles such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Highlighting the shared values between the two countries, she emphasized that Taiwan and Estonia stand together at the forefront against the expansion of authoritarianism.
Tsai noted that both countries have been actively involved in aiding Ukraine following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine War. She also mentioned the ongoing discussions to enhance cooperation with the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), aiming to assist Ukraine in rebuilding infrastructure in a stable and pragmatic manner.
Vaga said in his remarks that the purpose of their visit was to underscore the Estonian parliament's bipartisan support and unity towards Taiwan. Despite the geographical distance, Vaga underscored the common foundational values and shared challenges between Estonia and Taiwan. He applauded Taiwan for its assistance to Ukraine amidst pressure and threats from China, emphasizing a steadfast commitment to global democracy.