Premier Su Tseng-chang on Wednesday received a cabinet-level delegation led by St. Lucian Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre. The premier said that Taiwan and St. Lucia have a friendly relationship, with both nations attaching great importance to promoting the youth economy and improving women's rights. Taiwan would be delighted to share relevant experiences with St. Lucia and looks forward to developing areas of mutual cooperation that would benefit both nations.
For two successive years, St. Lucia has called for Taiwan's meaningful participation in related UN organizations and activities during the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly and highlighted the unfair treatment of Taiwan in its exclusion from the proceedings at the recently concluded 27th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27). Premier Su recognizes and appreciates St. Lucia's efforts and hopes that the country will continue to support Taiwan's participation in international affairs.
The premier noted that since the prime minister assumed office he has attached great importance to promoting the youth economy and improving women's rights, and has made significant strides in these areas. Taiwan has made fostering young talent a high priority and is proactively mentoring and assisting young people to find employment. Taiwan is also vigorously promoting women's empowerment and the safeguarding of their rights, and the nation's gender equality indicators, as well as democracy and freedom ratings, have continually received recognition from various countries and international authorities. Taiwan stands ready to share relevant experiences with St. Lucia and develop areas for mutual cooperation that benefit both nations.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Pierre said, "With every interaction and visit thus far in Taiwan, I am reminded of our commonalities, especially the ideas and industry of our people. This visit further solidifies our need to lobby on your behalf for inclusion in international organizations, as indeed the knowledge and expertise of your people are world class."
The prime minister especially thanked Taiwan for providing assistance to St. Lucia in areas such as agriculture, women's vocational skill training, youth entrepreneurship, information and communications technology, and humanitarian support. He was also delighted that bilateral discussions during this visit have established a framework for an enhanced developmental assistance agenda in important areas such as social housing and national security. In addition, like numerous other countries, St. Lucia faces crime-related problems, especially gun and gang crime, and it therefore appreciates all the support and cooperation that Taiwan can provide in this area.