ECCT chair awarded with MOFA’s Friendship Medal of Diplomacy

2020/12/07

The Friendship Medal of Diplomacy was conferred Dec. 3 on European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan Chairman Giuseppe Izzo by Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu in recognition of his decadeslong contributions to strengthening Taiwan-Europe relations.
 
 Izzo, who was born in Italy but has been living in Taiwan for nearly 30 years, obtained his ROC citizenship in 2019, Wu said during the presentation ceremony at Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Taipei City.
 
 According to the minister, when Europe was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic in March and April this year, the outgoing ECCT chairman helped organize delivery of two batches of medical supplies to northern Italy at his own expense.
 
 Izzo has also led a delegation to Brussels for the ECCT Open Door Mission each year since 2013 as part of efforts urging the EU to initiate the process of signing a bilateral investment agreement with Taiwan at the earliest possible date, he said.
 
 Wu said the chairman was the first to respond to the French government’s International Corporate Volunteer initiative by facilitating internships in the European country for local youths. Such long-term dedication to promoting Taiwan-Europe ties is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, the minister added.
 
 In response, Izzo said the award and his citizenship are great honors, adding that he is deeply touched by the friendship shown to him over the past 30 years.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)