AIT director honored for boosting bilateral ties

2015/06/05

President Ma Ying-jeou said June 3 that Christopher J. Marut, outgoing director of the American Institute in Taiwan, has made an invaluable contribution to improving Taipei-Washington exchanges.

“The government and people of Taiwan deeply appreciate Marut’s efforts in enhancing mutual trust between the two nations,” Ma said. “This healthy state of affairs is evidenced by expanded bilateral collaboration on all fronts during Marut’s term beginning in 2012.”

Ma made the remarks after bestowing Marut with the Order of Brilliant Star with Violet Grand Cordon at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.

According to the president, prime examples of the robust relations include Taiwan’s inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program in November 2012 and the signing of the new Agreement on Privileges, Exemptions and Immunities in February 2013.

In terms of trade, Ma said Taipei and Washington resumed negotiations under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement in March 2013, a key step toward further cementing the economic partnership.

“The U.S. is also a strong supporter of our International Economic Partnership and Pacific Island Leadership Program, while we donated US$1 million to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation for the global fight against the Ebola outbreak.”

With Taiwan-U.S. ties at their highest level since the Taiwan Relations Act took effect 36 years ago, the president said remarks by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his predecessor Hillary Clinton on the importance of Taiwan as a U.S. economic and security partner augur well for the future.

In response, Marut said Taiwan and the U.S. share the core values of democracy, freedom and human rights, a fact enabling the two sides to work together in addressing regional and global challenges.

The U.S. official also commended Taiwan’s impressive achievements in democracy, entrepreneurship, high-tech industry and civic society, predicting a further strengthening of Taipei-Washington ties going forward.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=231161&ctNode=413)