Taiwan awards visiting Czech senator friendship medal

Taipei, Dec. 5 (CNA) Visiting Czech Senator Pavel Fischer was awarded a medal of friendship by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Tuesday in recognition of his contributions to promoting closer relations between the two sides.

Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) conferred the "Friendship Medal of Diplomacy" on Fischer during a ceremony at MOFA's Taipei headquarters.

In a press release, MOFA said that Fischer, chair of the Czech Senate's Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security Committee, was known for being friendly toward Taiwan.

One notable act of friendship was Fischer's help in facilitating Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil's "historic" trip to Taiwan in Sept. 2020, MOFA said.

During his trip, Vystrčil became the first incumbent speaker from a foreign parliament to address the Legislative Yuan in 45 years, according to MOFA.

MOFA said that Fischer had also helped Taiwan procure a batch of COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Czech Republic in 2020.

In addition, Fischer initiated several pro-Taiwan proposals in the Senate, including one passed unanimously calling for Taiwan to take part in the annual World Health Assembly in 2021, MOFA said.

According to MOFA, Fischer arrived in the country early Tuesday for a three-day visit that will conclude on Thursday.

Aside from being awarded the medal and meeting with Wu, the Czech senator will also meet with Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁), Legislative Speaker You Si-kun (游錫堃), MOFA said.