TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) met Eswatini Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Prince Simelane Dlamini to discuss closer judicial cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday.
Lin recalled his May visit to Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in Africa on the occasion of the celebrations for King Mswati III’s birthday. The visit also featured the joint projects for a Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park and a strategic oil storage facility.
Lin told Dlamini at the ministry on Thursday that Taiwan hoped the king could visit later this year. The bilateral projects will help Eswatini attract more foreign investment and safeguard its energy security, Lin said.
At present, Taiwan and Eswatini are preparing to sign a bilateral judicial cooperation accord to enhance efforts to combat corruption and cybercrime. Dlamini said he would discuss the topics with the Ministry of Justice during his visit.
He will also meet 10 students from Eswatini undergoing training at an Army officer school. A visit to a minimum-security prison and to the CPC Corp. Taiwan refinery in Taoyuan is also on his schedule.
Dlamini said his talks in Taiwan represented the solid official diplomatic relationship between the two countries. He first visited the country in 2001, so it was like a second homeland for him.
MOFA officials thanked Eswatini for its support of Taiwan’s bid to expand its international space, and the king for hosting a visit by President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) in May despite attempts by China to block the trip.
