Taiwan and Slovakia inked an arrangement on judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters June 8, underscoring a joint commitment to combating transnational crime, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Concluded by Lee Nan-yang, head of Taipei Representative Office, Bratislava, and Martin Podstavek, head of Slovak Economic and Cultural Office Taipei during a special ceremony at MOFA headquarters, the arrangement takes effect immediately and is the first of its kind between Taiwan and an EU member state.
Other officials in attendance included Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, Judicial Yuan Vice President Tsai Jeong-duen, Justice Minister Tsai Ching-hsiang and Slovak National Council Deputy Speaker Milan Laurencik.
According to the MOFA, the arrangement paves the way for closer collaboration on laws, policies and prosecutions, as well as expanding exchanges on related issues via regular consultative meetings. It further demonstrates the strength of bilateral ties and the importance both sides place on democracy and the rule of law, the ministry added.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said: “#Taiwan-#Slovakia ties are on the up & up. Minister Wu presided over the signing of the arrangement on judicial cooperation in civil & commercial matters & awarded MP Osusky the Friendship Medal of Diplomacy. We'll keep strengthening bilateral relations for the greater good!” (DL-E)
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