President Lai Engages with Eswatini’s Deputy Prime Minister to Strengthen Bilateral Ties
President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan met with Eswatini’s Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla on February 11, discussing continued collaboration in various sectors. The leaders emphasized ongoing support for social welfare initiatives and mutual assistance on international platforms. The visit included plans for several cooperative projects aiming to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
On February 11, President Lai Ching-te reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to collaboration with the Kingdom of Eswatini across various sectors while facilitating mutual support on the global stage. This statement was made during a meeting with a delegation led by Thulisile Dladla, the deputy prime minister of Eswatini, at the Presidential Office in Taipei. The delegation’s five-day visit will include attending a banquet hosted by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and visits to the Ministries of Labor and Health and Welfare.
President Lai highlighted the importance of the longstanding relationship between Taiwan and Eswatini, spanning over fifty years, and noted ongoing cooperation in agriculture, economics, healthcare, and trade. He pointed out Taiwan’s support for various projects, including those aimed at enhancing energy security, such as constructing oil storage tanks for Eswatini.
The president mentioned that Deputy Prime Minister Dladla emphasized critical issues like gender equality, women’s empowerment, care for the disadvantaged, and social welfare improvements, all of which align with Taiwan’s policy objectives. He expressed hope for strengthening partnerships and thanked Eswatini for their support of Taiwan’s participation in international affairs.
In response, Deputy Prime Minister Dladla extended warm regards from King Mswati III, Queen Mother Ntombi Tfwala, and the people of Eswatini. She confirmed the initiation of the oil storage tanks project in April and referenced further collaboration on projects such as the central bank’s new headquarters and an electrification initiative.
Dladla praised Taiwan’s contributions to Eswatini’s education sector and job creation, highlighting scholarship programs and partnerships in industry, technology, and healthcare. Furthermore, she reaffirmed Eswatini’s unwavering support for Taiwan’s sovereignty and international legal status. The delegation also met with Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun, who echoed President Lai’s sentiments and expressed interest in enhancing bilateral exchanges on gender equality.
In summary, the meeting between President Lai Ching-te and Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla exemplifies the strong ties and collaborative spirit shared between Taiwan and the Kingdom of Eswatini. Both leaders underscored the importance of joint efforts across various sectors, particularly in areas concerning social welfare and international support. The discussions also set the stage for upcoming projects and reinforced mutual commitments to ensure energy security and job creation.
Original Source: taiwantoday.tw
