A meeting aimed at deepening coast guard cooperation and strengthening ties between Taiwan and the U.S. under a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this year was held virtually Aug. 11, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Jointly organized by the Coast Guard Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard, the one-day event was the first held under the two sides’ Coast Guard Working Group.
In a statement, the MOFA said that Taiwan and the U.S. discussed a wide variety of topics spanning enforcing maritime law; fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; and conducting joint search and rescue operations. Both sides also reiterated the importance of regular dialogue on issues of mutual concern in order to strengthen joint capacity for tackling challenges at sea, the ministry added.
According to the MOFA, the government will continue to work with the U.S. and other like-minded partners on coast guard cooperation and other issues of global interest to defend a free, open and rules-based international order.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said: “#Taiwan-#US cooperation is steaming ahead! The 1st Coast Guard Working Group meeting was staged via videoconference. Maritime-related topics discussed included law enforcement, search & rescue, & combating #IUU. Many thanks to CGA & @USCG for the productive & rewarding event.” (DL-E)
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