Israel will grant Republic of China (ROC) passport holders visa waiver privilege at the end of this month at the earliest, Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei Representative Simona Halperin said last night.
She made the announcement at a reception held at the Palais de Chine Hotel in Taipei to celebrate Israel’s 63rd Independence Day.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Israel would be the 114th country or region to grant Taiwanese visa-free entry or landing visa treatment.
Taiwan will also grant visa-waiver privilege to Israelis on the principle of mutuality, the ministry said.
SIEW TRIP
Meanwhile, in Panama City, Taiwan and Panama concluded a visa-free agreement on Monday.
Vice President Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) witnessed the signing of the agreement by Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Yang (楊進添) and Panamanian Vice President and Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Varela.
Siew, at the head of a Taiwanese delegation of government officials and business executives, met with Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli later in the day for talks on bilateral relations and other matters of mutual concern.
Siew had earlier met with Panama City Mayor Bosco Vallarino, who presented Siew with a key to the city in recognition of his contribution to cementing ties between Panama and Taiwan.
Before arriving in Panama, Siew and his delegation were in Asuncion, Paraguay, to attend celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of that country’s independence. Siew also met Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo.
SOYBEANS
Business executives traveling with Siew explored the possibility of setting up joint ventures to grow soybeans in Paraguay, one of the major soybean producing countries in Latin America.
Siew and his delegation left Taipei last Wednesday and will return home via New York City, according to the itinerary released by the Presidential Office.
Additional reporting by Shih Hsiu-chuan
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