A joint statement released by French and Australian foreign and defense ministers voicing support for Taiwan is deeply appreciated by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jan. 31.

The document was released a day earlier following the 2023 France-Australia Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultations held in Paris. The participants were France’s Europe and Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna, Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defense Minister Richard Marles.

According to the statement, the participants emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues through dialogue without threats, coercion or use of force. Ministers also reaffirmed shared opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo, it said.

The two countries are committed to working together to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and reiterated their determination to continue deepening relations with Taiwan in the cultural, economic, scientific, technological and trade fields, the statement added.

In response, the MOFA said the statement demonstrated staunch support from the governments of France and Australia. It also highlighted the fact that cross-strait peace and stability is crucial to a free and open Indo-Pacific and the prosperity of the international community, the ministry added.

The government will continue working with like-minded partners to deepen partnership and achieve common goals, the MOFA said.

Source: Taiwan.gov.tw