2022-06-06
DPP Thanks Slovak Delegation for its Government’s Sustained Support of Taiwan’s Inclusion in the WHA
Deputy Speaker of the Slovak National Council Milan Laurenčík, Chairman of the Slovakia-Taiwan Parliamentary Group Peter Osusky, President of the Bratislava Region Juraj Droba, and other members of the Slovak National Council and the Bratislava Region arrived in Taiwan on June 5. Regarding this visit, DPP Spokesperson Peifen Hsieh stated that the composition of this delegation shows the enduring friendship and collaboration between the central and regional governments of Taiwan and Slovakia. Spokesperson Hsieh reaffirmed Deputy Speaker Laurenčík’s statement that Slovakia supporting Taiwan and the delegation’s visit is “the proof.” The DPP expresses its sincere welcome to the Slovak National Council.
Spokesperson Hsieh added that Deputy Speaker Laurenčík and Chairman Osusky had demonstrated continual support for Taiwan. This delegation was attended by representatives spanning an array of political parties. MPs Anna Zemanová, Tomas Lehotsky, Miroslav Ziak, and Andrej Stancik from the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security, Financial and Budgetary, and European Affairs Committees participated, respectively. The Slovak National Council committed its first resolution to support Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) in 2021. This year, within just one week, the Foreign Affairs, Health Care, and European Affairs Committees approved three consecutive motions to support Taiwan’s participation in the WHA. Regarding the Slovak National Council’s unwavering support for Taiwan, the DPP once again conveys its gratitude.
In addition, Spokesperson Hsieh stated that the arrival of Bratislava Regional President Juraj Droba, Malacky Mayor Juraj Riha, and other esteemed regional leaders demonstrates the comprehensive development of Taiwan-Slovak relations. When Regional President Droba served as an MP of the Slovak National Council, he visited Taiwan on three occasions. This is the second time Regional President Droba has visited Taiwan since his designation as Regional President. Further, Kaohsiung City’s donation of 300,000 facemasks to Bratislava in 2020 has strengthened and deepened the two local governments’ friendship.
Spokesperson Hsieh added that, in September of 2021, Slovakia increased their initial donation to Taiwan of 10,000 COVID-19 vaccines to 160,000 doses. Taiwanese people still remember the kindness of Slovakia. Indeed, the DPP is happy to see that, in December of 2021, after Slovak State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy Karol Galek led a delegation to Taiwan, another Slovak delegation visited Taiwan. The DPP believes that, whether facing the COVID-19 pandemic or the evolving state of international affairs, the value of democracy shared by Taiwan and Slovakia will enable the development of closer, more sustainable relations between the two countries.
