Deputy Foreign Minister François Chihchung Wu witnessed the signing of a cooperative memorandum of understanding on assisting Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic Feb. 11 via videoconference, highlighting Taiwan’s commitment to continue helping those affected by the war with Russia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The pact was inked by Ke Liang-ruey, head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Prague, and Šimon Pánek, executive director of the Czech nongovernmental organization People in Need. Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková, Czech government commissioner for human rights and deputy minister for European Affairs, as well as David Steinke, head of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office Taipei, also witnessed the event.
Wu said during his address that the MOU marks a milestone in Taiwan-Czechia cooperation while underscoring Taiwan’s ongoing support of the Eastern European country. With backing from the Czech government, Taiwan has worked with People in Need since 2022 to help Ukrainian refugees integrate into Czech communities and ensure their access to education, language learning and psychological counseling, he added.
Echoing his remarks, Ke said the services provided under the pact, including consultation hotlines and support for displaced youth, will help refugees adapt to their lives in Czechia or their return to Ukraine. Pánek further took the opportunity to thank Taiwan’s timely aid after the Russian invasion, while Laurenčíková added that most Ukrainian refugees in Czechia are children, teenagers and women, who will benefit greatly from the schooling and employment opportunities provided by the MOU.
According to the MOFA, People in Need is the largest humanitarian organization in the Czech Republic and one of the most important NGOs in Central and Eastern Europe. The ministry added that Taiwan and the Czech Republic both value freedom and democracy and reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to standing with Ukraine. (YCH-E)
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