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Tsai receives Somaliland ministerial delegation, vows to strengthen bilateral ties
President Tsai Ing-wen said Feb. 9 that the government is committed to strengthening relations between Taiwan and Somaliland across a broad spectrum of areas benefiting the people. The like-minded partners share the universal values of freedom and democracy, Tsai said. Since the opening of respective representative offices in 2020, Somaliland has become a stronghold for the government’s African Project, she added. Tsai made the remarks while receiving the ministerial delegation from Somaliland led by Essa Kayd Mohamoud, minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, and comprising Saad Ali Shire, minister of finance development; Omar Ali Abdilahi, minister of planning and national development; and Saeed Sulub Mohamed, minister of livestock and fisheries development, at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. The group is in country Feb. 8 to 12 on an economic, political and trade visit. In addition to ongoing mutually beneficial projects spanning agriculture, education, energy and fisheries, Tsai said, Taiwan and Somaliland are expanding cooperation in public health. One of the highlights is the recent donation of 150,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses developed by locally based Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp. It is hoped the two sides will cooperate closely with other members of the global community in helping build an even more resilient disease prevention system and combating coronavirus, Tsai added. Tsai also extended her warmest regards to President Muse Bihi Abdi through Essa Kayd and welcomed the head of state to visit Taiwan when the pandemic is under control. In response, Essa Kayd said the delegation’s milestone visit is in line with his government’s goal of deepening friendship and expanding exchanges with Taiwan for mutual benefits. Praising Taiwan’s high-tech industries, diverse culture and robust economy, Essa Kayd said the country’s technological prowess can provide avenues for Somaliland’s new infrastructure network to feed directly into international trading systems. At the same time, Taiwan firms are invited to explore possibilities in the Horn of Africa across areas such as agriculture, fisheries, mining and tourism, he added. Later the same day, the delegation called on the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economic Affairs, as well as attended a banquet hosted by Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu. In a tweet on the MOFA’s official Twitter account, Wu said “Great to exchange views with the ministerial delegation led by @DrEssaKayd. We all cherish freedom & democracy, but will also fight hard for our survival & dignity. Mutual support is the key, as #Taiwan & #Somaliland are #StrongerTogether.” (SFC-E) Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
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