The MOFA congratulates Petr Pavel on winning the Czech Republic’s recent presidential election and Chris Hipkins on taking office as New Zealand’s 41st prime minister. (Staff photo/Chin Hung-hao)
 

The government and people of Taiwan extend their warmest congratulations to Petr Pavel, the newly elected president of the Czech Republic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Jan. 29.

According to the MOFA, President Tsai Ing-wen immediately offered her congratulations to the former chair of the NATO Military Committee after the release of the Jan. 27-28 election results.

The Czech Republic is a like-minded partner that enjoys a close and cooperative relationship with Taiwan spanning culture, education, technology and trade, the ministry said.

That MOFA said that in addition to expanding partnership in disease prevention and other key sectors to strengthen the resilience of global supply chains throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides have worked together to assist Ukrainian refugees displaced by Russia’s invasion.

Based on this strong foundation, the government of Taiwan looks forward to working with the new administration for the benefit of the people on both sides, the ministry said.

In an earlier statement, the MOFA also congratulated MP Chris Hipkins of New Zealand’s Labor Party on taking office as the country’s 41st prime minister.

The MOFA said Taiwan and New Zealand share the values of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Bilateral trade has been growing apace since the two concluded the Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu on Economic Cooperation in 2013, the ministry said, adding that Taiwan overtook the U.K. to become New Zealand’s sixth leading destination for merchandise exports in 2022.

Taiwan is committed to working with the new PM to further expand the already robust bilateral ties and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, the MOFA added. (SFC-E)