Marshall Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kitlang Kabua promised to continue voicing support for Taiwan during a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday.
Kabua arrived in Taiwan at the head of a delegation for an official visit that is to last until Tuesday next week. Marshall Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Anjanette Katill is also part of the delegation.
Taiwan is an important friend and ally of the Marshall Islands, as the two countries’ relationship is built on shared values, democratic principles and respect for human rights, Kabua said.
Photo: CNA
She is proud of the nations’ joint achievements and thriving friendship since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1998, Kabua said, adding that the visit demonstrates the stability of that friendship and seeks to improve exchanges.
The Marshall Islands pledges to continue being Taiwan’s ally and speaking up for the nation, including by supporting its participation and membership in regional and international organizations, she said.
Tsai’s firm leadership in safeguarding democracy and defending against interventions from outside forces is admirable, Kabua said.
“The Marshall Islands strongly condemns these actions that endanger regional and global security and peace,” she said.
The visit would pave the way for deeper ties between the Marshall Islands and Taiwan, she said.
Taiwan’s cooperation with the Pacific ally in healthcare, agriculture and education over the past few years has produced successful results, Tsai said, citing a joint fund to tackle climate change set up by the two sides when Marshall Islands President David Kabua visited Taiwan in March last year.
During her visit, Kabua is to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the fund to contribute to a sustainable future, Tsai said.
Taiwan’s technical mission has since May last year been working with the Marshall Islands government to establish a community farm on the Ebeye Island, where Kabua is from, to promote local agricultural development, Tsai said.
Students from the Marshall Islands consider Taiwan as one of the most favorable destinations for studying abroad, with 12 of them receiving scholarships from Taiwan this year, she said.
Tsai thanked Kabua and her government for supporting Taiwan’s international participation at the UN General Assembly and the World Health Assembly, which she said captured the attention of international society.
Taiwan and the Marshall Islands will continue to support each other on the global stage, strengthen democratic resilience and contribute to the Indo-Pacific region, she said.
The delegation is to meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) to sign an agreement on diplomatic personnel training, exchanges and cooperation, and visit agencies such as the Council of Indigenous Peoples and the International Cooperation and Development Fund during the visit.
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