Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu met with Taiwan’s good friend and staunch supporter Zdenek Hrib, mayor of Prague, Oct. 27 in the capital of the EU member state.
The pair shared a friendly and warm meeting in which they discussed an array of issues at the heart of Taiwan-Czechia relations, as well as ways of expanding cooperation between like-minded partners in health care and combating COVID-19, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Wu said as the international community moves toward a post-pandemic recovery, democratic countries around the globe need to stand as one preventing the spread of coronavirus.
The government and people are deeply grateful for Hrib facilitating the Czech Republic’s donation of 30,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Taiwan in August, Wu said. Such a friendly gesture at a challenging time genuinely touched hearts and minds, he added.
In response, Hrib praised the success of various cooperative projects between the forces for good, especially those in youth exchanges. Taiwan is a reliable friend, he said, adding that the two sides should leverage this robust foundation in continuing to expand the mutually beneficial partnership going forward.
The MOFA said Hrib, who visited Taiwan as a medical exchange student in 2005, has consistently backed the country’s bid for meaningful participation in U.N. specialized agency the World Health Organization via public letters or video messages.
Hrib also toured Taiwan in 2020 as a member of the country’s historic delegation led by Czechia Senate President Milos Vystrcil. Earlier this year, he announced plans to strengthen ties with Taiwan with a focus on education, science and technology, according to the ministry.
In a tweet on the MOFA’s official Twitter account, Wu said “It’s brilliant to see my old & dear friend @ZdenekHrib in his great city #Prague. Seems just like yesterday we were talking in #Taiwan. Time does fly! Look forward to welcoming you back soon. JW” (SFC-E)
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