Nauru looks forward to cooperating with Taiwan on economic development as it seeks to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Nauruan President Russ Kun said in a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) in Taipei yesterday.
In particular, Nauru is keen to develop its transportation and shipping services, which would be “a conduit to successful trade and honest economic benefits,” Kun said.
As part of Nauru’s efforts to bounce back from the economic effects of the pandemic, it is hoping for cooperation with Taiwan to “promote prosperity through economic development,” he said shortly after Tsai welcomed him and his delegation with military honors at the Presidential Office.
Photo: Lin Cheng-kun, Taipei Times
“We therefore look forward to working together to strengthen institutions, improve connectivity, generate trade and develop cross-border solutions to shared problems,” said Kun, who is on his first visit to Taiwan since taking office on Sept. 29.
“Taiwan has in fact been Nauru’s steadfast ally and partner over the years,” he said. “Today, I am pleased to reaffirm the alliance between our two countries, one that we have nurtured over the years.”
Nauru would continue to stand in solidarity with Taiwan, a country that it believes must not be left behind and should be allowed to work “side by side with all the nations of the world,” Kun added.
Tsai said that Taiwan and Nauru have been working closely over the years in fields such as healthcare, agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry, clean energy and coast guard affairs.
In the past few years, bilateral cooperation has expanded to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as climate change, she said.
Taiwan would continue to improve bilateral exchanges with Nauru through educational and cultural cooperation, she said.
Kun, who arrived with a 20-member delegation on Monday for a six-day visit, invited Tsai to visit his country, the Presidential Office said.
The delegation includes Nauruan Minister of Justice and Border Control Pyon Deiye, Nauruan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Asterio Appi and Nauruan Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Isabella Dageago.
Nauru and Taiwan established diplomatic relations in 1980, but cut ties in 2002, when the Pacific island nation switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing.
In 2005, Taiwan and Nauru re-established diplomatic relations, prompting China to sever its formal ties with Nauru.
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