The Swedish parliament on Thursday voted 205 to 80, with 64 abstentions, in favor of establishing a “House of Sweden” in Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.
The Riksdag praised the good economic and trade relationship between Sweden and Taiwan, and said that it hopes to make Sweden’s presence in Taiwan more prominent, the ministry said.
It also thanked the Riksdag for taking concrete actions to demonstrate its dedication to the bilateral relationship, and expressed its confidence that the Swedish government would respond positively to the call.
The vote was the latest example of the Swedish parliament’s continued support for Taiwan,
CROSS-PARTY SUPPORT: Following a visit of Swedish lawmakers this month, the Riksdag showed further backing for Taiwan in a call for a ‘House of Sweden’By Yang Cheng-yu and Liu Tzu-hsuan / Staff reporter, with staff writer
Swedish lawmakers have proposed a motion to have a building in Taiwan similar to the House of Sweden in Washington, with the motion expected to be debated and voted on soon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.
The idea was first mentioned on April 14 during a five-day visit to Taiwan by a Swedish delegation.
The House of Sweden building in Washington is evocative of the climate of Sweden and its political transparency. In addition to being the Swedish embassy, the building also houses the embassies of Iceland and Liechtenstein, as well as Swedish companies.
The delegation said it would propose changing
SUPPORT: By changing the name, lawmakers hope to underscore that Taiwan should be seen as a nation and not a province of China, Markus Wiechel saidBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNA
A cross-ministerial delegation is later this month to visit Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Lithuania, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said yesterday.
Department of European Affairs Director Remus Chen (陳立國) said the delegation of officials from the foreign ministry, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Education would visit the three EU member states later this month.
The trip aims to enhance bilateral cooperation with the three countries on talent cultivation and business opportunities, Chen said, without elaborating.
Neither did Chen provide information on the delegation’s itinerary, saying only that it would be announced