Norwegian Liberal Party delegation visits Taiwan

Taipei, Nov. 20 (CNA) A Norwegian parliamentarian delegation led by Norway's former minister of education and Liberal Party chairperson arrived in Taiwan Monday for a six-day visit, during which they will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

The delegation led by Guri Melby, the second vice chair of the Norwegian Parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, is also joined by three members of her party, who are Fredrik Castens, Malin Eidsvåg Østevik and Solveig Hillestad, MOFA said in a press release.

Other than meeting with President Tsai, the delegates will also meet Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang (田中光), Control Yuan President and National Human Rights Commission Chairperson Chen Chu (陳菊), and Environmental Minister Shieu Fuh-Sheng (薛富盛), among others, during their stay until Nov. 25.

Melby is also scheduled to deliver an address titled "Authoritarian Regimes Threats on Democracy in the Aftermath of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine -- How Taiwan Can Be a Partner for Peace and Prosperity," at New Taipei-based Tamkang University on Tuesday, MOFA added.

The ministry praised the Liberal Party chairperson as a long-term supporter of human rights, who nominated the people of Hong Kong for a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize for a series of demonstrations against the Hong Kong government's introduction of a bill to amend the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance in regard to extradition.

Melby also raised several initiatives in the Norwegian Parliament to support Taiwan's bid to join the World Health Assembly and other international organization, and to highlight the Chinese threat to Taiwan, MOFA said.