Taiwan and Slovakia on Wednesday signed an agreement on Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Commercial Matters, the first of its kind signed by Taiwan with a European Union (EU) country.

The pact was signed during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ headquarters in Taipei by David Lee (???), Taiwan’s top representative to Slovakia, and Martin Podstavek, Slovakia’s top representative to Taiwan.

The event was witnessed by a visiting Slovakia delegation, led by Slovak National Council Deputy Speaker Milan Laurencík, as well as Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (???) and Justice Minister Tsai Ching-hsiang (???) of Taiwan.

Wu described the agreement as another “extraordinary milestone” in bilateral ties that gives Taiwan and Slovakia a comprehensive framework for cooperation on judicial issues.

The two countries had already signed an agreement on Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters in August 2021.

“By establishing the framework, Taiwan is expanding the freedom and rights of its people while enhancing ties with Slovakia,” Wu said.

Laurencík, meanwhile, said the agreement is another major step in mutual cooperation that will strengthen the bilateral friendship between Slovakia and Taiwan.

According to the Ministry of Justice, the agreement encourages the two sides to share information on civil and commercial legal issues, respond to requests for assistance in civil and commercial cases, and hold regular meetings to facilitate cooperation in these areas.

This was the first agreement on civil and commercial matters Taiwan has signed with an EU country. It signed a similar agreement with Vietnam in August 2020.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel