Foreign Minister Wu addresses Forum 2000 Conference in Czechia

2021/10/14

Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu addressed via video the 25th Forum 2000 Conference in the Czech Republic Oct. 12, urging like-minded partners to build back democratically in the post-pandemic era through enhanced cooperation and shared vigilance.
 
Wu opened his special ministerial address by congratulating the Czech Republic on its recent election, as well as stating that Taiwan and the EU member state are closely connected by a shared passion for freedom and democracy. He also thanked Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil for carrying the torch of his late predecessor Jaroslav Kubera to visit Taiwan last year despite the pressure from China.
 
The inspiring efforts by both friends of the country to continue strengthening this special bond have captured the hearts and minds of the people, he said.
 
According to Wu, COVID-19 has provided a rich ground for authoritarianism to grow and put the democratic world in a dangerous trend of recession. Taiwan is constantly on alert for such threats, he said, adding that the country’s new friend Lithuania is also facing economic coercion by Beijing.
 
Given the constant cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and hybrid warfare aimed at disrupting democratic institutions by authoritarian regimes, freedom-loving countries must remain vigilant and watch out for one another, Wu said.
 
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “Watch Minister Wu’s @Forum_2000 address. Learn about #Taiwan’s special bond with #Czechia & efforts to strengthen cooperation & shared vigilance as freedom-loving countries #BuildBackDemocratically in the post-pandemic era.”
 
The Forum 2000 Conference was established in 1996 as a joint initiative of former Czech President Vaclav Havel, Japanese philanthropist Yohei Sasakawa and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel. It aims to identify key issues confronting governments today and explore ways in which to prevent the escalation of conflicts while fostering religious, cultural and ethnic tolerance.


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)