President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday urged three visiting Baltic foreign affairs committee heads to help facilitate Taiwan’s participation in their countries’ NATO Centres of Excellence (COE).
Tsai made the request at a meeting with Marko Mihkelson, chairman of the Estonian parliament’s foreign affairs committee, and his counterparts, Zygimantas Pavilionis of the Lithuanian Seimas and Rihards Kols of the Latvian Saeima, who are on a six-day visit to Taiwan.
The COEs are international military organizations that train and educate leaders and specialists from NATO member and partner countries, information on the alliance’s Web site says.
Photo: CNA
The president expressed hope that the delegation could help Taiwan participate in the Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Estonia, the Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence in Latvia and the Energy Security Centre of Excellence in Lithuania.
Joining the COEs would deepen cooperation between Taiwan and the Baltic states on national defense, cybersecurity and all-out defense, Tsai said.
Thanking the Baltic nations for speaking up for Taiwan on many international occasions, including at the World Health Assembly in May, Tsai said that the visit is significant for regional security and bolstering international solidarity among democracies.
The Baltic nations’ spirit and actions in defending democratic beliefs, as exemplified by their vigorous support of Ukraine, “are truly admirable,” Tsai said.
The Taiwanese government and society donated nearly US$58 million and more than 700 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and will continue to work with the Baltic states and other countries to assist Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction, she said.
Mihkelson said that the main purpose of the joint visit is to learn more about Taiwan and the “possibilities to enhance cooperation between our democratic societies.”
The trip is also a “show of solidarity at these turbulent times” against the aggression from neighboring authoritarian regimes, he said.
Taiwan has been recognized by the international society as a responsible partner for its contributions in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, as well as for building a resilient society against authoritarian pressures, Mihkelson said.
The delegation, which is to leave Taiwan today, has learned during the trip that “there are numerous possibilities and new avenues we can strengthen cooperation between Baltic nations and Taiwan,” such as digitalization, cybersecurity, trade and economy, and science, he said.
The Baltic nations’ history of fighting for freedom and democracy against the Soviet Union taught them that “we should never be alone again,” he said, adding that the three countries have all built strong democratic societies and robust partnerships with allies to safeguard their hard-fought freedom.
Since February last year, the three countries have each spent more than 1 percent of their GDP to help Ukraine as they fight for shared freedom and a rules-based world order, he said.
The Taiwanese passport ranked 33rd in a global listing of passports by convenience this month, rising three places from last month’s ranking, but matching its position in January last year. The Henley Passport Index, an international ranking of passports by the number of designations its holder can travel to without a visa, showed that the Taiwan passport enables holders to travel to 139 countries and territories without a visa. Singapore’s passport was ranked the most powerful with visa-free access to 192 destinations out of 227, according to the index published on Tuesday by UK-based migration investment consultancy firm Henley and Partners. Japan’s and
NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT: An official said that Guan Guan’s comments had gone beyond the threshold of free speech, as she advocated for the destruction of the ROC China-born media influencer Guan Guan’s (關關) residency permit has been revoked for repeatedly posting pro-China content that threatens national security, the National Immigration Agency said yesterday. Guan Guan has said many controversial things in her videos posted to Douyin (抖音), including “the red flag will soon be painted all over Taiwan” and “Taiwan is an inseparable part of China,” while expressing hope for expedited “reunification.” The agency received multiple reports alleging that Guan Guan had advocated for armed reunification last year. After investigating, the agency last month issued a notice requiring her to appear and account for her actions. Guan Guan appeared as required,
Japan and the Philippines yesterday signed a defense pact that would allow the tax-free provision of ammunition, fuel, food and other necessities when their forces stage joint training to boost deterrence against China’s growing aggression in the region and to bolster their preparation for natural disasters. Japan has faced increasing political, trade and security tensions with China, which was angered by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remark that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would be a survival-threatening situation for Japan, triggering a military response. Japan and the Philippines have also had separate territorial conflicts with Beijing in the East and South China
A strong cold air mass is expected to arrive tonight, bringing a change in weather and a drop in temperature, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The coldest time would be early on Thursday morning, with temperatures in some areas dipping as low as 8°C, it said. Daytime highs yesterday were 22°C to 24°C in northern and eastern Taiwan, and about 25°C to 28°C in the central and southern regions, it said. However, nighttime lows would dip to about 15°C to 16°C in central and northern Taiwan as well as the northeast, and 17°C to 19°C elsewhere, it said. Tropical Storm Nokaen, currently
RSS