《TAIPEI TIMES》 Norwegian official backs Taipei office

‘CRITICAL MISSION’: Liberal Party Chairwoman Guri Melby said her visit to Taiwan was to show that Norway stands with Taiwan and defends the nations’ shared values

By Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNA

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Liberal Party of Norway Chairwoman Guri Melby yesterday told President Tsai Ing-wen （蔡英文） that she would back the establishment of a representative office in Taipei, as supporting Taiwan is an important and critical mission of the free world.

It is a significant development that a member of the Norwegian Great Council has accepted Taiwan’s invitation to visit in an official capacity, Tsai said at a meeting with Melby at the Presidential Office in Taipei.

It is the first time in 12 years that a Norwegian politician has made an official visit to Taiwan.

Melby is a long-time supporter of international human rights issues, as well as Taiwan, Tsai said, adding that with Melby’s support, the Taiwan-Norway partnership would deepen and allow both to contribute more to global development.

Taiwan and Norway share the values of democracy and liberty, and the visit by the Melby-led delegation would help its members understand Taiwan better and create more opportunities for collaboration, Tsai said.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs organized a delegation to attend the Taiwan-Norway Offshore Wind Forum in Stavanger, Norway, on Thursday last week, she said, adding that wind power generation is the largest economic collaboration project between Taiwan and Norway.

Melby said her visit to Taiwan was to demonstrate that Norway stands with Taiwan and defends the values both sides cherish, such as liberty, democracy and autonomy.

She would propose to the Norwegian government that it support Taiwan’s participation in global efforts to resist climate change and to help Taiwan become a signatory nation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, she said.

Melby also voiced support for establishing a representative office in Taipei.

Melby expressed amazement that Taiwan’s vibrant democracy had developed in such a short time, adding that Taiwan has achieved what many countries hope to, allowing its people to live in a democracy and enjoy basic human rights and stable economic growth.

Many European nations, including Norway, are seeing what autocratic countries are capable of and are becoming increasingly aware of how European countries are reliant on them, she said.

European nations must ensure that autocratic countries do not use such reliance as a tool to change the world order, she said.

Furthermore, European countries must reduce their reliance on them, she added.

They should instead bolster ties with other democratic nations, such as Taiwan, Melby said.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES