EU representative praises Taiwan democracy

2015/08/11

The rapid development of Taiwan’s democracy and government efforts in protecting freedom of speech and human rights are something to be celebrated, according to Frederic Laplanche, outgoing head of European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan.

“Taiwan has changed dramatically since I first arrived 20 years ago to study local democratization,” Laplanche said in an interview with Taipei City-based Central News Agency.

“Taipei now has a comfortable living environment, with its people enjoying rising living standards and caring very much about the arts and environmental issues.”

The French national said he admires Taiwan’s democratic institutions in ensuring efficient elections. “The EU and Taiwan are very close from the perspectives of a democratic society and economic development.”

But there is still room for improvement in other key areas such as the death penalty, Laplanche said, adding that the people of Taiwan also seem to follow their counterparts in Europe by expressing dissatisfaction and distrust of those in office just six months after elections.

During his two EETO terms, Laplanche worked to promote Taiwan-EU exchanges between nongovernmental organizations, especially in consumer rights, environmental protection, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights.

“Taiwan is a regional leader in advocating LGBT rights, and I expect collaboration with the EU later in the year in this regard.”

Late last month, Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lin awarded Laplanche with the Order of Brilliant Star with Violet Grand Cordon for his invaluable contributions to improving Taiwan-EU exchanges spanning culture, education, human rights, nuclear safety, science and technology.

Laplanche will return to the French foreign ministry at the end of the month. He is to be replaced by Madeleine Majorenko, head of Division for European Neighborhood Policy in the European External Action Service.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=233564&ctNode=413)