TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA, 外交部) released a statement Friday (Jan. 10) stating that Taiwan and a visiting Italian cross-party delegation exchanged views on Taiwan-Italy bilateral relations, Indo-Pacific security, and deepening economic and technological cooperation a day earlier.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Chih-chung (吳志中) hosted a luncheon on Thursday to welcome Marco Osnato, the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, and his delegation. Wu expressed hope that Taiwan and Italy would enhance bilateral relations.
Osnato emphasized Taiwan's critical role in Indo-Pacific security and expressed a desire to strengthen exchanges in the two nations' parliamentary, economic, and cultural sectors. Wu thanked Italy for its leadership role as the G7 chair last year, highlighting its support for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan's international participation.
According to MOFA, this visit marks the first delegation from the Chamber of Deputies to Taiwan since Gian Marco Centinaio, the Vice President of the Italian Senate, led a delegation to attend the inauguration of Taiwan's President and Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) last May.