American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Sandra Oudkirk yesterday praised Taiwan as a trustworthy friend and partner of the US.
Oudkirk was speaking at a post-signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) at the ministry in Taipei.
The MOU, signed by the AIT and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office on Thursday, is aimed at bolstering Taiwan-US cooperation on international development and humanitarian assistance.
Photo: CNA
“This MOU is a testament to the continued expansion of both the breadth and depth of ties between the United States and Taiwan,” Oudkirk said.
Washington has been impressed by Taipei’s contribution to the international community in times of crisis, she said, adding that the US is fortunate to be able to work with reliable partners such as Taiwan.
Taiwan has repeatedly shown its willingness and ability to share its expertise and help those in need, such as through its contributions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and in sharing experiences in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, she said.
The MOU would promote cooperation between Taiwan and the US and contribute to the international community, Wu said, adding that the relationship between the two sides will further strengthen based on the foundation of shared values and interests.
Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) secretary-general Timothy Hsiang (項恬毅) led members in joining the ceremony, along with envoys from pro-Taiwan countries such as Nauru and Paraguay.
A pre-recorded video of a dialogue between Representative to the US Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), AIT Managing Director Ingrid Larson and US Agency for International Development (USAID) Deputy Administrator for Policy and Programming Isobel Coleman was shown at the ceremony.
The two sides assigned ICDF and USAID to carry out cooperative missions in areas such as international development and humanitarian assistance as well as research, capacity building, training, and exchanges in international development and humanitarian fields, the AIT said.
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