President Tsai Ing-wen met with Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano and his delegation at the Presidential Office Sept. 5 in Taipei City, pledging to launch more bilateral projects in the spirit of mutual assistance for mutual benefits.

Taiwan and Tuvalu are bound by their shared values of freedom, democracy, and respect for the rule of law and human rights, Tsai said, adding that the two countries have continued to deepen cooperation in areas spanning agricultural technology, clean energy, public health and talent cultivation.

As island nations in the Indo-Pacific, Taiwan and Tuvalu deeply relate to the threat climate change poses to humanity, the president said. The government is committed to working hand in hand with the Pacific ally to address this pressing challenge and help achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, she added.

The president also took the opportunity to thank Natano and his government for staunchly supporting Taiwan on the international stage. She expressed particular gratitude to Foreign Minister Simon Kofe, who refused to compromise in the face of China’s heavy-handed coercion at the 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference.

In response, Natano said his government will continue upholding the two sides’ shared values and supporting Taiwan’s international participation to promote democracy, the rule of law and peace.

Later the same day, Natano also signed a joint communique with Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu reaffirming bilateral diplomatic relations established when the island nation declared independence in 1979.

He also concluded two pacts on police and coast guard cooperation with Minister of the Interior Hsu Kuo-yung and Acting Minister of the Ocean Affairs Council Chou Mei-wu, respectively, and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on marine science and engineering cooperation. (SFC-E)

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