The first Global Cooperation and Training Framework workshop for Europe was successfully staged Sept. 13 by Taiwan, the U.S., Japan and the Czech Republic in Prague, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Involving participants from the academic and private sectors of the four like-minded partners, the daylong event focused on devising strategies for resetting global supply chains and resisting economic coercion, as well as addressing related challenges and opportunities for the Czech Republic.
Special addresses were delivered by MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Representative Hiroyasu Izumi and Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil. These were complemented by contributions from representatives of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Prague, U.S. Embassy in the Czech Republic, Czech Senate and Prague-headquartered think tank Association for International Affairs.
Since the GCTF’s launch in 2015, Wu said, Taiwan has worked with the U.S. and Japan in sharing its experience and know-how. The reach of the platform now extends throughout the Indo-Pacific and beyond, with an increasing number of forces for good joining to tackle global challenges, he added.
Wu also took the opportunity to thank the Czech Republic for donating 30,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Taiwan. The government and people are deeply touched by such an act of generosity, he said.
In response, Vystrcil called on businesses to focus on reshaping global supply chains for the greater good, and not exchange long-term competitive strategies for short-term profits.
The Czech Republic shares the values of freedom and democracy with Taiwan, the U.S. and Japan, Vystrcil said, adding that the EU member state’s government will continue promoting resilient, diversified and competitive supply chains for the democratic world.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said “#Taiwan, #US, #Japan, #Czechia cooperation leapt ahead with the staging of the 1st #GCTF in #Europe. Officials & experts strategized on key issues like resetting global supply chains & resisting economic coercion. A big thanks to all partners for the game-changing event!” (SFC-E)
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