April 19, 2024
No. 146
Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu hosted a welcome banquet on April 18 for a delegation from the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo comprising former Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti, Cochair of the Kosovo-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group Artan Abrashi, member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Time Kadrijaj, and former Deputy Prime Minister Driton Selmanaj. During the banquet, the two sides exchanged views on further advancing bilateral ties.
Minister Wu lauded the delegation’s visit for injecting new momentum into Taiwan-Kosovo relations. He stated that both countries were like-minded members of the democratic camp and should work together, adding that he welcomed bilateral exchanges and cooperation in such areas as countering disinformation, disaster prevention and relief, and democratic and resilient supply chains.
Noting that this was his third visit to Taiwan, former Prime Minister Hoti expressed admiration for Taiwan’s democratic and economic achievements. He stated that he was pleased that Përparim Rama, Mayor of Kosovo’s capital Pristina, had visited Taiwan in March to attend the 2024 Smart City Summit and Expo and form a sister-city relationship with Kaohsiung. He explained that his delegation’s meetings with various economic, trade, and academic institutions to discuss future bilateral collaboration had been fruitful and would help promote related exchanges. Furthermore, he expressed his belief that Kosovo could serve as a bridge to help Taiwan strengthen relations with countries in the Western Balkans.
Situated on the front line of defense for democracy and freedom, both Taiwan and Kosovo spare no effort in bolstering their international participation and presence. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is willing to expand all forms of exchange and cooperation with like-minded partners so as to jointly pursue regional peace and stability and advance democratic resilience and prosperity. (E)