DPP legislators and Liberal Democratic Party members of Japan's National Diet took part in a 2+2 meeting on March 21 and exchanged opinions on the bilateral relationship and national defense and security. Also on the 21st, German Education and Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger arrived in Taiwan for a visit. She signed an agreement for cooperation in science and technology with the Ministry of Science and Technology.
DPP legislators and Liberal Democratic Party members of Japan's National Diet took part in a 2+2 meeting on the bilateral diplomatic relationship and defense policies on March 21. The Japanese delegation consisted of Iwao Horii, a member of the House of Councillors and Konosuke Kokuba, a member of the House of Representatives. They made a special visit to Taiwan for this meeting. It was the first time that the dialogue was held in person. It was also the first foreign affairs-related dialogue between Taiwanese and Japanese political parties since Vice President William Lai became the new DPP chairperson. DPP Legislator Kuo Kuo-wen sought to curry favor with the visitors, saying Taiwan was supporting Japan against Mexico and rooting for a comeback in the World Baseball Classic semifinals, which was taking place at the same time.
Kuo Kuo-wen, Legislator (DPP): “We eagerly look forward to having the future opportunity to hold the 2+2 meeting between our political parties in Japan.”
Iwao Horii, Member (LDP), Japanese House of Councillors: “We hope these talks will contribute to our joint safeguarding of the peace of the Indo-Pacific region.”
The two sides discussed recent developments such as military reforms and the Indo-Pacific and Taiwan Strait situations. They said they hope this dialogue can become a normalized exchange between the two sides' ruling parties. In other news, a German minister heading a specialist government department visited Taiwan for the first time in 26 years. German Education and Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger arrived on March 21. She signed an agreement for cooperation in science and technology with the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Bettina Stark-Watzinger, German Education and Research Minister: “It is a great pleasure and honor for me to be the first minister heading a specialist government department to visit Taiwan in 26 years. Taiwan, with its excellent research institutions, is a highly esteemed partner.”
The minister's visit is meant to strengthen bilateral cooperation in academic research and education, including in semiconductors and Chinese language teaching. Meanwhile, Czech Chamber of Deputies Speaker Marketa Pekarova Adamova will arrive on March 25 as the head of a 150-strong delegation of businesspeople, scientists, and government officials. This will be the largest Czech business delegation to visit Taiwan in the past five years.
民進黨與日本自民黨舉行「台日外交．防衛政策」2+2會談，自民黨參議員外交部會長堀井巖，與眾議員國防部會長國場幸之助，專程來台，不但是對話首度採實體會議，更是賴清德上任黨主席後，首次的台日政黨外交對話。由於適逢經典賽日墨4強大戰，郭國文更以台灣為日本應援，希望能夠逆轉勝，展現台日友好。
民進黨立委郭國文指出：「更期待將來有機會能夠在日本舉辦我們兩黨之間的2+2對談。」
日本自民黨參議員堀井巖提及：「共同維護印太區域和平，期待能在會談做出貢獻。」
雙方就近來的國防軍事改革與印太台海局勢發展、台日關係進行實務討論，希望未來成為兩國執政黨常態性交流。另外睽違26年後有德國部長級官員訪台，德國教育及研究部長瓦特辛格21日抵台，並和國科會簽署台德科學及技術合作協議。
德國教育及研究部長瓦特辛格表示：「很榮幸成為26年後首位來訪台的德國部長，台灣擁有優秀的研究機構，是備受推崇的合作夥伴。」
瓦特辛格此行要強化與台灣的學術研究和教育合作，也聚焦半導體和華語教學，為台德雙邊關係進入新階段跨出第一步。歐洲現在友台力量增大，捷克眾議院議長艾達莫娃無視中國警告，將會在25日率領150位商人、科學家和官員訪台，這也是捷克5年來最大規模的商業出訪團。