President Tsai receives Tuvalu delegation, pledges to deepen bilateral ties

2023/06/06

President Tsai Ing-wen said June 2 that Taiwan is committed to strengthening cooperation with Tuvalu across the board while pursuing mutual progress and prosperity going forward.
 
Tsai made the remarks while meeting with Simon Kofe, the Pacific ally’s minister of justice, communication and foreign affairs, and his delegation at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.
 
Taiwan and Tuvalu have initiated exchanges in areas spanning agriculture, education, energy, public health and medicine, Tsai said. The two countries are also closely collaborating on information and communications technology to advance national digitization, she added.
 
The allies share the values of freedom and democracy and cherish their unwavering friendship, Tsai said, adding that amid global challenges like climate change, Taiwan will continue to help Tuvalu build resilient response systems.
 
Tsai took the opportunity to thank Kofe and the Tuvalu government for supporting Taiwan’s international participation at events like the U.N. Ocean Conference staged last June and the World Health Assembly held last month.
 
In response, Kofe said the two countries’ strong partnership is based on shared commitment to protecting sovereignty, upholding democracy and promoting economic development, environmental sustainability and regional stability. Taiwan is an important partner that has assisted Tuvalu with its developmental aspirations since the establishment of official ties in 1979, he added.
 
According to Kofe, Taiwan is caught amid the global power struggle and geopolitical competition. Tuvalu is concerned about China’s aggression toward Taiwan, Kofe said, adding that his country stands with Taiwan and will continue to promote peaceful solutions to global issues.
 
Following the meeting, Kofe and his delegation were received by Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu at Taipei Guest House, where they inked bilateral agreements on diplomatic personnel training and technical cooperation.
 
Another pact on mutual legal assistance in criminal affairs was signed by Kofe and Minister of Justice Tsai Ching-hsiang, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, adding that the accord will facilitate joint efforts to combat cross-border telecommunications fraud, drug smuggling and money laundering. 


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