Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Foreign Minister Lin confers Friendship Medal of Diplomacy on French Senator Cadic
Date：2025-09-10
Data Source：Department of European Affairs
September 10, 2025No. 329On September 9, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung conferred the Friendship Medal of Diplomacy on Olivier Cadic, Vice-President of the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces Committee of the French Senate. The award was given in recognition of Senator Cadic’s persistent efforts to deepen the cordial relations between Taiwan and France, as well as his outstanding contributions to building support for Taiwan in the international arena.Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Lin said that Senator Cadic was a long-term friend who had for many years staunchly advocated for Taiwan and defended freedom and democracy. Minister Lin noted that Senator Cadic had successfully called on the French parliament to introduce language in support of Taiwan into the seven-year Military Programming Law in 2023, including the affirmation that France would continue to defend freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait. This had made France the first major country in the world to enact legislation to ensure the unimpeded passage of ships through the strait. Minister Lin added that Senator Cadic, as cochair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, had urged French parliamentarians to support IPAC’s campaigns. Expressing appreciation for Senator Cadic’s sincere friendship, Minister Lin said he was sincerely grateful for the active role that Senator Cadic had played in deepening Taiwan-France relations and conveyed the hope that he would continue to exert his influence in jointly strengthening bilateral ties.In his remarks, Senator Cadic said the medal was an honor that reflected the French Senate’s unwavering commitment to defending democracy. He thanked Minister Lin for promoting economic, trade, and technological exchanges between Taiwan and France, as well as bolstering the relationship between the two countries in concrete ways. Senator Cadic noted that Taiwan’s story had taught the world that democracy was not only a value but a powerful force for innovation. He also praised Deputy Minister François Chihchung Wu for working hard to expand the French Senate’s France-Taiwan Friendship Group when serving as Taiwan’s representative in Paris. He explained that the group had 62 members, far exceeding the 42-member France-China Friendship Group. Senator Cadic added that France would never let the rule of law and international norms be supplanted by the rule of force. As long as Taiwan stood firm, said Senator Cadic, universal hope would rise, and France would ensure that the light of freedom defended by Taiwan would not go out. Held in the auditorium at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a warm and dignified atmosphere, the ceremony was witnessed by Franck Paris, Director of the French Office in Taipei, and 50 other attendees.