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President Tsai Ing-wen met on the afternoon of July 27 with President Hilda C. Heine of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and witnessed the signing of bilateral agreements on mutual visa waivers and coast guard cooperation. She thanked the Republic of the Marshall Islands for its longstanding support for Taiwan’s participation in international arena, and also expressed hope that the signing of the above-mentioned agreements will help facilitate people-to-people exchanges, and ensure maritime and public safety for both countries.
In remarks, President Tsai first welcomed President Heine and her husband, Mr. Kijiner, to Taiwan. She said that since meeting them in the Marshall Islands last year, she has looked forward to hosting their delegation in Taiwan, and was delighted that this has actually come true.
President Tsai pointed out that although Taiwan and the Marshall Islands are far apart, the two countries are closer than ever in heart and mind. Both countries are maritime nations, both peoples are friendly, genuine and passionate, and the two countries are both important members of the Austronesian cultural community, she added.
President Tsai said that she was delighted to learn that President Heine will attend the Austronesian Forum in Taipei, and join friends from Pacific island nations in discussing the future of the Austronesian community. President Heine's presence, she added, will make this regional forum even more influential.
President Tsai also expressed hope that through the common bonds of the Austronesian culture, Taiwan can share even closer exchanges and cooperation with Pacific island nations so that together, we can strive for sustainable development. And that, she added, is the significance of regional forums.
During this visit, stressed President Tsai, our two nations will sign bilateral agreements on mutual visa waivers and coast guard cooperation. These will facilitate people-to-people exchanges and joint efforts to ensure maritime safety, and protect marine resources around the Marshall Islands, she added.
President Tsai again thanked President Heine for her longstanding support for Taiwan’s participation in the international arena. And to convey our shared ideals and values to the rest of the world, Taiwan will fully support the Marshall Islands’ bid for membership on the UN Human Rights Council, she added.
President Tsai also commented that Taiwan and the Marshall Islands share common aspirations. Both countries have a strong and unwavering determination to tackle climate, environmental and geopolitical challenges. She is confident that through joint endeavors, the two countries will be able to make contributions to the international community that few can accomplish, she said.
In remarks, President Heine said she was grateful and happy to visit Taiwan at President Tsai's kind invitation. The military welcome ceremony as well as the warm hospitality the delegation received was indeed an honor and unforgettable experience for them, which she would cherish and treasure, she added.
President Heine then said that her current visit is a significant moment in the history for bilateral relations, as it coincides with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. She thanked President Tsai for her visit to the Republic of the Marshall Islands last year. Joint achievements made the meeting last year a memorable one, and bilateral relations all the more worthwhile and exciting as the two countries head into the future, she said. President Heine said she is indeed pleased to know that significant progress has been made to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly at government-to-government levels, in the last few months, she added.
President Heine also pointed out that there are space and room to further our engagement that will bring mutual benefits for both peoples and countries. In the nearly 20 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, she said, there are also heightened bilateral exchanges of senior government officials, ministers, and at the level of heads of the state. This trip has been the fifth visit of Marshall Islands heads of the state to Taiwan, she emphasized. She then thanked the Taiwan government for its support and assistance, specifically in the areas of education, health, renewable energy, agriculture, and fisheries.
President Heine said that she is pleased that the two countries will shortly be witnessing the signing of two MOUs. There are several other drafts that are in various stages of finalization to cover other sectors and fields, she added.
At the government level, President Heine said, the activities of the past 19 plus years has set the foundation from which the two countries can venture to strengthen the existing relationship, and establish new partnerships in the private sector and the business fraternity, as well as the ever important ongoing people-to-people contacts. In the joint statement issued by the two countries, noted she, the two governments have agreed to pursue greater cooperation through the framework of strategic cooperation and partnership. President Heine expressed hope that officials from the two countries will be working hard to finalize the text of the framework to be signed on the very day marking the 20th anniversary of bilateral relations. She also invited President Tsai to visit the Marshall Islands and join them in commemorating that significant event.
After the meeting, President Tsai and President Heine witnessed ROC Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) and Marshall Islands Foreign Affairs Minister John M. Silk sign the two agreements on mutual visa waivers and coast guard cooperation.
The objectives of those two agreements are to facilitate bilateral interaction, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, and promote coast guard agency cooperation in areas like law enforcement, research, training and rescue that will enhance the well-being of peoples in both nations. They will also ensure maritime and public safety for both countries.
After the signing ceremony, the two heads of state, and the respective foreign affairs ministers, raised a toast to smooth and successful bilateral cooperation.
Also included in the delegation were Marshall Islands President Heine's husband Thomas Kijiner, Jr.; Paramount Chief and Senior Advisor to the President Iroijlaplap Lein Tawoj Zedkeia; Transportation, Communication, Information and Technology Minister Thomas Heine; Senator Maynard Alfred; and Senator Wisely Zackhras.
