Tsai Confers Order of Brilliant Star on Pompeo 蔡總統接見龐佩奧 頒特種大綬景星勳章

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is currently visiting Taiwan. President Tsai Ing-wen conferred the Order of Brilliant Star, 1st Class on him in recognition of his contributions to the Taiwan-US relationship. The Presidential Office was forced to cancel a livestream of the event due to the nationwide power outage, though the event itself was not affected.

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is currently visiting Taiwan. On March 3, President Tsai Ing-wen received him and conferred the Order of Brilliant Star, 1st Class on him. At the same time, a power outage plunged all of Taiwan into darkness, although the Presidential Office's power supply wasn't affected and the meeting went on as scheduled. However, the Presidential Office was forced to cancel a livestream of the event. Pompeo said he was looking forward to eating dried pineapple.

Mike Pompeo, Former US Secretary of State: “I can assure you that the American people stand with you in that very effort. Bless you, thank you for this incredible privilege today. It is such a joy to be here, I'm going to enjoy the dried pineapple very much, and I know that I'm going to enjoy even more than that the opportunity to meet the Taiwanese people.”

Pompeo said he cares about the people of Taiwan, and pointed out all political parties unanimously supported all the pro-Taiwan policies he promoted during his time in the Trump administration, which helped to deepen the bilateral relationship. Pompeo also thanked Taiwan for its contributions to Ukraine, and stressed the importance of unity.

Mike Pompeo, Former US Secretary of State: “I think we need only watch what's taking place in Europe today to see that this continues to demand deep, concerted, focused leadership from those of us who cherish freedom.”

Tsai Ing-wen, ROC President: “You're extremely popular in Taiwan. When the news that you were coming to visit came out, it immediately sparked a lot of attention and discussion. We hope you will visit often in the future, so that we can continue to deepen the Taiwan-US relationship.”

Tsai lavished praise on Pompeo, saying that important breakthroughs in the bilateral relationship were made during his time in office. She also expressed her hope to strengthen the relationship through cooperation in various areas, such as trade. She called for the launching of negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement.

 

龐佩奧訪台，3日上午總統蔡英文接見並且頒授特種大綬景星勳章，不過恰巧遇上全台大停電，雖然總統府供電沒有受到影響，但取消了網路直播會面，所幸過程一切順利，龐佩奧更透露期待吃到鳳梨乾。

龐佩奧表示:「美國會一直跟台灣站在一起，這次非常榮幸可以來到台灣，並非常期待可以享用鳳梨乾，還有可以跟台灣人民交流。」

龐佩奧表示一直關心台灣的人民，而他任內推動的多項的友台措施都是美國跨黨派一致的決定，有助深化台美關係。現在烏克蘭情勢緊張，除了感謝台灣對烏克蘭所做的貢獻，更重要的是需要大家團結一致。

龐佩奧指出:「我們現在看到歐洲發生的事情，就知道自由不應該當做理所當然，需要持續且深刻地一同合作的領導力來維持。」

總統蔡英文表示:「尤其龐佩奧前國務卿在台灣的人氣很高，來訪的消息一出來，立刻引起許多的關注和討論，希望未來您常常來訪，我們一起繼續為深化台美關係來努力。」

總統蔡英文對龐佩奧表示感謝，台美關係在他任內有所突破，也期待未來能夠加強台美各領域合作，包括早日啟動雙邊貿易協定的協商進程，讓台美經貿關係更緊密。