Taiwan and Eswatini yesterday signed a declaration to affirm their solid relationship.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) signed the declaration with Eswatini Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu, who is leading a delegation to Taiwan until Sunday.
The document “highlights our long-cherished friendship” and reaffirms the shared desire “to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation,” Wu said.
Photo: CNA
The strength of the relationship has been exemplified in the success of numerous state visits in recent years, including King Mswati III visiting Taiwan in October 2022 and President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) trip to Eswatini in September last year, he said.
The two governments “remained profoundly committed to creating favorable conditions that will boost bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation,” he added.
Shakantu said that the trip is to “affirm, strengthen and deepen our diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Eswatini.”
She thanked Taiwan for cooperative projects in the African country that not only “transformed the lives” of many people, but also served as “a turning point for Eswatini as a country.”
After the ceremony, Wu hosted a banquet for Shakantu’s delegation. The two sides exchanged opinions on bilateral cooperation in economic affairs, trade, agriculture and energy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Earlier yesterday, Shakantu told president-elect Vice President William Lai (賴清德) that her country would continue to be Taiwan’s strongest ally and would bolster ties.
Since the two sides established official diplomatic relations in 1968, bilateral interaction has grown steadily based on mutual respect and the pursuit of the well-being of the people of both sides, she said.
Taipei-based Overseas Investment & Development Corp (OIDC, 海外投資開發股份) is working with Eswatini National Petroleum Co to build a strategic oil facility in Eswatini, OIDC’s technical missions are assisting the country in improving agricultural development and transformation, and its medical missions are providing high-quality healthcare services to the people of Eswatini, she said.
The African ally would continue to voice support for Taiwan’s participation in multilateral organizations, she said.
Only with Taiwan’s equal participation can the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals be realized, Shakantu said.
Lai said he hoped that the delegation would have an opportunity to learn more about Taiwan’s diverse society and customs, as well as experience energy and enthusiasm of Taiwanese.
Lai said that he is proud of the long-standing and profound friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini, adding that they are great partners and a family.
Eswatini has constantly supported Taiwan’s international participation, speaking up for the nation at the UN General Assembly, the World Health Assembly, the Interpol General Assembly and the UN Climate Change Conference last year alone, he said.
Lai pledged to continue to pursue Tsai’s steady and practical foreign policy with the aim of consolidating the friendship with Eswatini.
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