President Tsai Ing-wen received a delegation led by Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Commander-in-Chief Duane Sarmiento at the Presidential Office April 9 in Taipei to enhance cooperation and exchange on veterans’ services, deepening relations between Taiwan and the U.S.
Tsai said she was delighted to meet Sarmiento, who is visiting Taiwan for the first time, and also Executive Director Ryan Gallucci on the eve of the 45th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act.
The strong U.S. Taiwan partnership is based on support from all U.S. sectors, including the VFW, which is an important influence on U.S. veteran affairs policy, she said. The government looks forward to exchanges with the VFW to help improve veterans’ services in Taiwan and the U.S., respectively.
The president took the opportunity to thank the VFW for passing a resolution last year calling on Washington and the Congress to adhere to the TRA by assisting Taiwan in strengthening its self-defense capabilities to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
In response, Sarmiento commended Taiwan’s Veterans Affairs Council for its high-quality approach to implementing its mission, adding that he looks forward to visiting the VAC and hosting exchange visits with VAC representatives again in the U.S.
The VFW will pass another resolution on Taiwan this year, and the organization will continue to push for Congress to support Taiwan, he said. (SFC-E)
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