The Arrangement on Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters between Taiwan and Slovakia was signed virtually Aug. 3, underscoring the government’s commitment to working with like-minded partners around the world in combating transnational crime, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Under the new pact concluded by Taipei Representative Office, Bratislava, Rep. David Nan-Yang Lee and Slovak Economic and Cultural Office Taipei Rep. Martin Podstavek, the two sides agreed to increase exchanges on laws, implementations and prosecutions; further practical cooperation; and hold regular consultative meetings, the MOFA said.
Other high-profile participants at the ceremony included Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, Justice Minister Tsai Ching-hsiang, Director General of the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic Michal Kotlarik and Slovak Member of Parliament Peter Osusky, who also serves as chairman of the Taiwan Friendship Group of the central European country’s National Council.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said: “#Taiwan -#Slovakia ties are on the up! Case in point is the Arrangement on Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters inked before Minister Wu & MOJ Minister Tsai with instant effect. Our thanks to Rep. Lee, Rep. Podstavek, Peter Osusky & Michal Kotlarik for the terrific result.”
Since Taiwan and Slovakia established reciprocal representative offices in 2003, bilateral ties have gone from strength to strength in areas ranging from culture and education to technology and trade. Slovakia was the first country in the EU to exempt Taiwan visitors from quarantine requirements upon arrival. (DL-E)
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