St Kitts renews five-year bilateral agreement with Republic of China (Taiwan)

A new five-year bilateral cooperation agreement was signed between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Federation. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1983, making them mutually the oldest diplomatic allies.

Resident Ambassador from the Republic of China (Taiwan), His Excellency Tom Lee, said that the agreement is very significant because it establishes a framework for all technical cooperation and projects in the Federation and it authorizes the government to send technical missions to the island to implement the projects.

“As a strong ally of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Republic of China will continue to strengthen our relationship and our embassy will continue to work hard and make sure that more and more people will benefit from our cooperation,” Ambassador Lee said.

“I am very grateful for this opportunity this morning to signal again our commitments and our country’s dedication to each other as we continue this path on which we have embarked,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Mark Brantley.

He said the signing of the agreement renews the countries pledges to each other while he extended his gratitude to Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Tom Lee, for maintaining the well-established relationship.

“I want to extend to Ambassador Lee and his team and to his government our gratitude for this long relationship,” said Minister Brantley. I believe this relationship has benefited our country immensely. I continue to say that Taiwan is not just a friend, it is our best friend and the government and people of Taiwan have demonstrated over the years that friendship and we are truly grateful.”

Brantley said the bilateral cooperation agreement continues a long tradition of support between the two countries in areas including health, education, science, technology and security.

He added that the “DNA of Taiwan is all over St. Kitts and Nevis” and stated that he is hopeful that the relationship continues to be enriched over the years to come.

“We are a small country but we have supported Taiwan vocally in various international organizations and have campaigned relentlessly for the inclusion of Taiwan in international matters,” said Brantley, “We will continue in that vein and we hope that the signing, as symbolic as it is will continue to strengthen and deepen our relationship between these two countries.”