February 1, 2024
Press Release No. 049
Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu of the Kingdom of Eswatini, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan, signed the Joint Declaration between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Kingdom of Eswatini on February 1. The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was witnessed by Mr. Michelo Shakantu, spouse of Minister Shakantu; Under Secretary of the Eswatini Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Vulindlela Kunene; Eswatini Ambassador to Taiwan Promise Msibi; Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Chern-chyi; Vice Minister of Agriculture Tu Wen-jane; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kelly Wu-chiao Hsieh; Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Remus Li-kuo Chen; and other prominent guests.
Speaking at the event, Minister Wu said that Minister Shakantu was the first foreign minister of a diplomatic ally to visit Taiwan after its presidential election, noting that she had called on Vice President Lai Ching-te earlier that day to extend her congratulations on Taiwan’s successful completion of elections and his electoral victory. Minister Wu added that the visit of the delegation led by Minister Shakantu soon after she had assumed office was a concrete demonstration of her steadfast friendship with Taiwan.
Minister Wu further stated that Taiwan and Eswatini were close friends and development partners and that their solid and stable bilateral relations were characterized in recent years by frequent visits by the two countries’ heads of state and high-level officials. He said that Taiwan and Eswatini maintained close cooperation in a number of areas, including education, agriculture, medicine, public health, and ICT. He observed that the joint declaration once again highlighted the robust friendship between the two countries and demonstrated Eswatini’s support for Taiwan’s international participation. He expressed the hope that Minister Shakantu’s visit to Taiwan would boost economic, trade, and investment cooperation, in addition to deepening the comprehensive bilateral partnership.
On behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty Queen Mother Ntombi Tfwala, and the government and people of Eswatini, Minister Shakantu congratulated Taiwan on the smooth presidential and legislative elections held January 13. She also lauded the Taiwanese people for their unity and determination to staunchly safeguard national sovereignty as well as Taiwan’s free and democratic political system.
Minister Shakantu said that Taiwan and Eswatini were mutually important cooperation partners and commended Taiwan for promoting joint endeavors in Eswatini that had tangibly improved people’s lives. She said that the joint declaration reaffirmed the sincere friendship between the two countries. Moving forward, she committed to continuing to bolster bilateral ties, ensuring that Taiwan-Eswatini relations grow ever stronger and closer.
After the signing ceremony, Minister Wu hosted a luncheon for the delegation led by Minister Shakantu. The two sides extensively discussed exchanges and cooperation in the economy, trade, agriculture, energy, and other domains.
This year marks the 56th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Eswatini, which were established when Eswatini gained independence in 1968. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to closely cooperate with the government of Eswatini, building on the long-standing solid foundation to steadily advance reciprocal and mutually beneficial development and collaboration, enhance the well-being of the peoples of both countries, and consolidate bilateral ties. (E)