Premier Su Tseng-chang on Thursday met with Senator Alain Richard of France and chairman of the French Senate's Taiwan Friendship Group, along with the rest of his delegation, saying that he looked forward to the ongoing future expansion of the Taiwan-France friendship, as well as deeper exchanges and a more interactive relationship.

Chairman Richard proposed a resolution supporting Taiwan's participation in international bodies such as the World Health Organization, Interpol and the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, noted Premier Su. On May 6 this year the French Senate approved the resolution by an overwhelming majority and set a new record for the French legislative body. The premier said the passage marked the greatest support for the two countries' firm commitment to democracy and freedom.

France is Taiwan's fourth largest trade partner in Europe and second largest research collaborator in the world. During their visit to Taiwan, Chairman Richard and his delegation will be able to see the vitality of Taiwan society and the dynamic growth of the economy, all of which will make a deep impression and promote interaction and friendship between the two nations, the premier said.

Other members of the French delegation included Max Brisson and Else Joseph, vice chairs of the friendship group; Olivier Cadic, vice president of the Senate's Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces Committee; Judith Bout, executive secretary of the group; Jean-Francois Casabonne-Masonnave, director of the French Office in Taipei; and Guillaume Delvallee, deputy director of the office.