February 12, 2025
No. 036
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chihchung Wu witnessed via videoconference on February 11 the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on Support for Ukrainian Refugees in the Czech Republic. The MOU was signed by Ambassador Ke Liang-ruey, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Prague, and Managing Director Šimon Pánek of People in Need (PIN), a Czech humanitarian nongovernmental organization. The ceremony was also witnessed in person by Czech Government Commissioner for Human Rights and Deputy Minister for European Affairs Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková and virtually by Representative David Steinke of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan.
In his remarks, Deputy Minister Wu stated that the MOU marked a significant milestone in Taiwan-Czech Republic cooperation in support of Ukraine and that it underscored Taiwan’s commitment to standing with Ukraine in its hour of need. He noted that since 2022, Taiwan and PIN had honored their pledge to jointly assist Ukrainian refugees in integrating into new communities and ensure their access to a complete education, psychological counseling, and language learning. Deputy Minister Wu also thanked the government of the Czech Republic for playing a key role in these initiatives.
Ambassador Ke emphasized that the MOU called for the provision of a consultation hotline, assistance for teens, psychological counseling, and other services for Ukrainian refugees that would help them return to normal life—either in the Czech Republic or after they return home in the future.
In his briefing on the progress of humanitarian assistance efforts, Managing Director Pánek expressed special appreciation for Taiwan’s prompt support following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, adding that Taiwan collaborated with PIN to provide youth shelters, after-school tutoring for children, language courses, and psychological and legal counseling to assist Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic. He pointed out that a significant number of them had benefited from Taiwan’s compassion. Reflecting on the foundation of mutual trust that Taiwan and the Czech Republic had built to become staunch partners in aiding Ukraine, he conveyed the hope that the war would soon end and reconstruction could begin.
Commissioner Laurenčíková indicated that most of the Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic were women, children, and teenagers. She said that the education and employment opportunities provided for in the MOU would benefit them and facilitate their smooth integration into local communities.
Founded in 1992, PIN has grown to become the largest humanitarian organization in the Czech Republic and one of the most important NGOs in Central and Eastern Europe. Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, Taiwan has actively engaged in close cooperation with PIN to assist Ukrainian refugees.
Taiwan and the Czech Republic are both like-minded countries that uphold freedom and democracy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is pleased to work with the Czech Republic to help Ukrainians begin a new life in the country and provide the necessary assistance. The MOU embodies the Taiwanese spirit of humanitarian assistance and demonstrates that Taiwan and the Czech Republic are staunchly committed to standing in solidarity with Ukraine in its time of need. (E)