Taiwan and Tuvalu inked two accords on labor cooperation and mutual recognition of mariner training and competency, April 15 in Taipei City, highlighting the allies’ commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The agreements were signed respectively by Minister of Labor Hung Sun-han and Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai with Paulson Panapa, Tuvalu minister of foreign affairs, labor and trade, the MOFA said. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and Tuvalu Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development Panapasi Nelesone witnessed the event, it added.
Following the signing, Lin expressed appreciation to Nelesone for the Tuvalu government’s long-standing and staunch support for Taiwan’s international participation. The pact evidences Taiwan’s integrated diplomacy and the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, he stated, adding that cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Labor, and Transportation and Communications further embodied the concept that everyone can further diplomacy.
According to Lin, the MOFA is committed to integrating public and private collaboration with its allies. The ministry will continue to work with Tuvalu to promote economic prosperity and well-being, he said.
Echoing his remarks, Nelesone said over the past 46 years of official ties, Taiwan and Tuvalu have enjoyed close cooperation in areas spanning agriculture, education, infrastructure and medical care. The allies’ friendship is based on shared values of freedom and democracy, he noted, reaffirming Tuvalu’s support for Taiwan’s global participation and expressed hope that the partnership will become a model to be emulated worldwide. (YCH-E)
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