Taipei: The Czech and Taiwanese governments have signed an agreement aimed at helping in the reconstruction of Ukraine.
The absence of formal diplomatic ties between the two nations did not hinder the collaboration, with a senior Czech envoy praising Taiwan as a “great ally.”
Following Russia’s invasion, Ukraine has gained widespread support in Taiwan, with many Taiwanese seeing parallels between Ukraine’s situation and the threat Taipei’s government says it faces from China, which claims the island as its own territory.
Taiwan has joined the Western-led sanctions against Russia and contributed more than $100 million for humanitarian relief. Moscow calls its actions in Ukraine “a special military operation”.
Taiwan and the Czech Republic will collaborate on reconstructing water and energy systems under the terms of the agreement signed by the de facto ambassadors in each other’s capitals.
Mr. Tomas Kopecny, the Czech government envoy for Ukraine reconstruction, stated that his country had “such a strong connection with Taiwan” when in Taipei for the signing ceremony.
“We are very happy that the country that is defending us on our behalf, Ukraine, is being supported by our great ally and friend, Taiwan, together with us,” Mr. Kopecny added.
Taiwan has no formal diplomatic ties with any European country except the Vatican. However, Central and Eastern European countries have been particularly keen to show support for Taiwan, especially in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in spite of Beijing’s anger about such contacts and lessening Taiwan’s international diplomatic isolation.
Mr. Roy Lee, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Taiwan pointed out that aid will expand to other areas to help people restore their normal lives “when Ukraine is approaching final victory,”
“It is only the unity of democratic countries that will be able to punish and deter authoritarian countries to make the same wrong decision again,” Mr. Lee commented.
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