May 12, 2022
Press Release no. 111
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Alexander Tah-ray Yui presided over the signing ceremony of the Joint Declaration on Social Welfare and Social Service Cooperation between Taiwan and Israel at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 11. The declaration was signed via videoconference by Representative of the Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei Omer Caspi and Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Tel Aviv Abby Ya-ping Lee on behalf of their respective governments. R.O.C. (Taiwan) Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Lee Li-feng and Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs Sigal Moran witnessed the signing of the declaration and spoke at the event.
Vice Minister Yui stated that Taiwan and Israel share common ideals and are defenders of the universal values of freedom and democracy as well as the principles of good governance, human rights, and the rule of law. He noted that these ideals are deeply cherished by the governments and citizens of both countries. As an example of the importance that the governments of Taiwan and Israel place on freedom and human rights, he cited the annual joint commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which President Tsai Ing-wen has attended and spoken at on many occasions. In addition, with Taiwan and Israel facing a number of similar challenges, Vice Minister Yui expressed the hope that the two countries would continue to support each other, advance shoulder to shoulder, and pragmatically expand cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit. Deputy Minister Lee stated that Taiwan will continue to enhance its social welfare policies and social service measures, adding that she looked forward to the two countries working together to bolster bilateral exchanges.
Director General Moran commended Taiwan for its professionalism in social welfare, noting that she hoped the two countries could further expand cooperation in this field in the postpandemic era. In his remarks, Representative Caspi recognized the active efforts of the R.O.C. (Taiwan) government in making the declaration possible. He expressed confidence that the agreement would contribute to more exchanges of experience in social welfare and social work.
The Joint Declaration on Social Welfare and Social Service Cooperation is the 30th partnership accord signed between Taiwan and Israel, and the fifth since 2020, following agreements on volunteering; education, youth, and sports; mutual recognition of driving licenses; and standards, metrology, and inspection. These accords underscore the robust friendship between Taiwan and Israel and the steady deepening of bilateral collaboration and exchanges in various domains. (E)