The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Friendship Medal of Diplomacy was conferred June 8 by Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu to Peter Osusky, chair of the Slovakia National Council’s Taiwan Friendship Group, in recognition of his remarkable contributions and devotion to enhancing bilateral relations.
Leading the Taiwan Friendship Group for more than eight years, Osusky has been supporting Taiwan’s participation in global organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization and U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, as well as the World Health Organization and its decision-making body the World Health Assembly, the minister said.
As an active member of the interparliamentary group Formosa Club, Osusky is not only a staunch supporter of Taiwan but also a champion of global peace and stability, Wu said, citing his efforts to bring aid to those displaced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The true friend of Taiwan is both a force for good in promoting two-way ties and a voice of decency in the world, he added.
In his acceptance speech, Osusky said it is a great honor to receive the medal. Taiwan is a wonderful country that should be accepted and appreciated, he said, adding that its 23 million hard-working people deserve fair and equal treatment from all countries around the world.
According to the MOFA, Osusky played a key role in prompting the Slovakia National Council’s European Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Health Committees to pass three resolutions backing Taiwan’s WHA bid this year. He also helped arrange the donation of 160,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Taiwan last year.
Osusky is currently visiting the country as part of a delegation comprising nine other lawmakers and municipal officials from the EU member state. The medal conferring ceremony was followed by the signing of a bilateral arrangement on judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters, as well as a banquet hosted by Wu. (SFC-E)
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