Taipei: Visiting Czech Senate Speaker MiloÅ¡ Vystrcil and former President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday reflected on the legacy of human rights advocate V¡clav Havel and the shared democratic values of Taiwan and the Czech Republic at a Taipei seminar named after the late Czech president.
According to Focus Taiwan, former President Tsai Ing-wen delivered an opening speech at the seminar, sharing her personal connection to Havel. She recounted meeting him at a Forum 2000 conference in Prague in 2004 and noted his visit to Taiwan later that year, where he shared insights on the Czech Republic's democratic development. Tsai emphasized that Havel's message resonated deeply with many in Taiwan, drawing parallels between Czechia's democratic journey and Taiwan's own path to democracy.
Vystrcil, who is on a four-day visit to Taiwan, highlighted the symbolic connection between the Czech Senate, Taiwan, and Havel, noting that 2026 marks the 30th anniversaries of significant democratic milestones for all. He pointed out that in 1996, Taiwan held its first direct presidential election, marking a transition to democracy. The same year, Havel delivered his notable "Europe as a Task" speech, advocating for a united Europe as a beacon of shared democratic values. Additionally, the Czech Senate was established in 1996.
During his remarks, Vystrcil emphasized the importance of resilience and security over immediate profit, stressing the need for free countries to address shared democratic challenges. He acknowledged the significance of his visit, being his second after a previous visit in 2020 during Tsai's presidency.
The seminar, titled "V¡clav Havel Dialogues: Human Rights and Responsibility in a Changing World," was a collaborative effort organized by National Chengchi University, the Czech Centre Taipei, and Sinopsis. The event aimed to commemorate what would have been Havel's 90th birthday and brought together public figures and academics to discuss the enduring impact of his legacy. Havel, who passed away in 2011, remains a significant figure in the global fight for democracy and human rights.