New Southbound Policy Portal
The Formosa Club in West Asia was launched April 8 via a videoconference involving Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, Vice Foreign Minister Miguel Li-jey Tsao and members of the 63-strong group from 11 countries.
Wu, who delivered his remarks in a special recorded message, welcomed lawmakers to the club and described the initiative as an invaluable platform for advancing regional cooperation benefiting the people.
COVID-19 knows no borders and only a concerted effort can overcome the challenges it presents, Wu said. Taiwan Can Help combat coronavirus and save lives if its bid for meaningful participation in the World Health Assembly, the governing body of the World Heath Organization, is supported by like-minded partners around the globe, he added.
Echoing Wu’s sentiments, Tsao said Taiwan will deepen friendship and expand exchanges in areas outside health care such as culture, education, technology and tourism. Economic relations between Taiwan and West Asia countries are going from strength to strength as evidenced by US$26 billion in two-way trade last year, he added.
Other headline participants in the launch included parliamentarians Fayez Basbous, Khaleel Atieh, Majdi Al-Yacoub and Mohammed Thahrawy of Jordan; Purevdorj Bakhchuluun of Mongolia; Valentina Pivnenko of Russia; and Ismail Koncuk of Turkey.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “The #FormosaClub in West Asia is a go! Made up of 63 lawmakers from 11 countries, the grouping of like-minded partners is committed to cooperation for the common good. #TaiwanCanHelp is more than a slogan. It’s the philosophy powering FC’s push for peace, progress & prosperity.”
The club complements successful chapters in Africa, Europe and Latin America. It is expected to play a key role in growing Taiwan’s footprint in the region while creating new opportunities for collaboration and sustainable development, according to the MOFA. (YCH-E)
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