Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung held a videoconference March 12 with the heads of Taiwan’s missions in the Middle East to get a status update following attacks against Iran by the U.S. and Israel, highlighting the government’s commitment to safeguarding Taiwanese nationals.
During the meeting, Lin thanked front-line staff for using all the resources at their disposal to provide Taiwanese citizens with timely information and helping them return to the country or temporarily transfer to other safe areas. The minister added that a dedicated page has been set up on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official website for up-to-the-minute information.
Taiwan’s missions have been cooperating to help Taiwanese nationals leave the impacted area, Lin said, adding that the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Tel Aviv sent citizens to Jordan, where follow-up care was provided by the mission there; offices in Dubai and Oman are working together to evacuate Taiwanese nationals overland to Oman; and missions in Bahrain and Kuwait arranged transport for citizens to Saudi Arabia. Staff from the office in Saudi Arabia even traveled to Qatar to assist Taiwanese nationals in leaving the country, he noted.
According to the MOFA, 1,838 nationals have been safely repatriated to Taiwan, with 486 nationals requesting assistance to date. For 50 nationals currently trying to leave the region, the ministry and relevant missions will continue to maintain close contact and provide necessary help, it said.
The MOFA noted that seats are still available on Emirates’ daily flights to Taiwan from Dubai, urging Taiwanese nationals to contact the Commercial Office of Taipei in Dubai, U.A.E., for further aid. It also urged citizens to avoid traveling to the region unless necessary, but for those whose travel is unavoidable, the ministry has prepared a care card with a QR code to register on the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website before departure. (YCH-E)
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During the meeting, Lin thanked front-line staff for using all the resources at their disposal to provide Taiwanese citizens with timely information and helping them return to the country or temporarily transfer to other safe areas. The minister added that a dedicated page has been set up on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official website for up-to-the-minute information.
Taiwan’s missions have been cooperating to help Taiwanese nationals leave the impacted area, Lin said, adding that the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Tel Aviv sent citizens to Jordan, where follow-up care was provided by the mission there; offices in Dubai and Oman are working together to evacuate Taiwanese nationals overland to Oman; and missions in Bahrain and Kuwait arranged transport for citizens to Saudi Arabia. Staff from the office in Saudi Arabia even traveled to Qatar to assist Taiwanese nationals in leaving the country, he noted.
According to the MOFA, 1,838 nationals have been safely repatriated to Taiwan, with 486 nationals requesting assistance to date. For 50 nationals currently trying to leave the region, the ministry and relevant missions will continue to maintain close contact and provide necessary help, it said.
The MOFA noted that seats are still available on Emirates’ daily flights to Taiwan from Dubai, urging Taiwanese nationals to contact the Commercial Office of Taipei in Dubai, U.A.E., for further aid. It also urged citizens to avoid traveling to the region unless necessary, but for those whose travel is unavoidable, the ministry has prepared a care card with a QR code to register on the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website before departure. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
from Taiwan Today – Top News