Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu (second left), Ocean Affairs Council Minister Lee Chung-wei (left), Coast Guard Administration Director-general Chou Mei-wu (right) and American Institute in Taiwan Director Brent Christensen give a thumbs-up to the Taiwan-U.S. coast guard cooperation MOU March 26 in Taipei City. (MOFA)

Taiwan and the U.S. completed a memorandum of understanding to establish a coast guard working group March 25, underscoring the commitment by the two like-minded partners to deepening cooperation across the board, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The pact was signed in Washington by Hsiao Bi-khim, head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S., and Ingrid Larson, managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan.

A reception was held by the ministry March 26 in Taipei City to celebrate the milestone development in Taiwan-U.S. relations. Those present included MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, Minister of Ocean Affairs Council Lee Chung-wei, Coast Guard Administration Director-general Chou Mei-wu and American Institute in Taiwan Director Brent Christensen.

According to the MOFA, the MOU is the first pact signed between Taipei and Washington since U.S. President Joe Biden took office in January. It also reaffirms the determination of the two sides to formalize bilateral exchanges and partnership, the ministry said.

Under the pact, the two will work together to preserve maritime resources, reduce illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and participate in joint maritime research, rescue and environmental response events to ensure the stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region, the MOFA added.

In a statement released in Arlington, the AIT said the U.S. supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation and contributions to issues of global concern, including in maritime security and safety. The MOU is the latest reflection of bilateral efforts to promote deeper cooperation between the two societies, it added.

The MOFA said Taiwan and the U.S. share the universal values of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights, adding that the Biden Administration has repeatedly reaffirmed its rock-solid commitment for Taiwan.

The government will continue to maintain close cooperation with the U.S. while promoting the already robust global partnership based on the two’s long-standing and friendly cooperation, it added. (SFC-E)