Taiwan and Germany concluded an agreement Dec. 5 to establish a bilateral dialogue platform, demonstrating the commitment of the two countries to expanding their robust relationship, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The pact was signed via videoconference by Shieh Jhy-wey, Taiwan’s representative to Germany, and German Institute Taipei Deputy Director-General Andreas Hofem at their respective locations. It is the third agreement inked this year, following one on science and technology cooperation in March and another on judicial cooperation the following month.
Initiated by the German Federal Foreign Office, the platform is to be co-chaired by Reinhard Bütikofer, a member of the European Parliament from Germany, and Ku Chung-hwa, a board member of Taipei City-based nonprofit Taiwan Association of Third Sector Research, the MOFA said.
Beginning next year, the two sides will take turn hosting an annual meeting to discuss the promotion of lively civil society exchanges, especially in the context of increasing bilateral economic engagement, the ministry added.
The German Federal Foreign Office issued a statement the following day saying the country maintains close relations with Taiwan in many areas, adding that the latest initiative will contribute to improving and enhancing civil connections between the two sides.
Based on this firm foundation, the MOFA said the government will continue to strengthen cooperation with Germany across the board going forward. (SFC-E)
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