New Southbound Policy Portal

The ROC (Taiwan) and Republic of Somaliland will set up respective representative office in Hargeisa and Taipei City, spotlighting the government’s commitment to furthering engagement with East Africa, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs July 1.
 
During a press conference in Taipei, MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said the decision follows a bilateral protocol he signed with Somaliland Foreign and International Cooperation Minister Yasin Hagi Mohamoud Feb. 26 in the city.
 
Taiwan and Somaliland share common values such as freedom and democracy, Wu said. In the spirit of mutual assistance for mutual benefits, the two countries will expand cooperation in areas spanning agriculture, education, energy, fisheries, information and communication technology, mining and public health, he added.
 
According to Wu, the two countries have collaborated on health care and maritime security since 2009, while three students from Somaliland are currently in tertiary education under the Taiwan Scholarship program. A total of 23 Somaliland medical professionals have also been trained through the Healthcare Personnel Training Program implemented by Taipei-based International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), Wu said.
 
The government fully supports efforts by Somaliland to advance its democracy, Wu said, adding that Taiwan is willing and able to assist with capacity-building projects while expanding bilateral exchanges for the benefit of the African nation’s people. (SFC-E)
 
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