Taipei, May 11 (CNA) Taiwan and Canada have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will pave the way for bilateral cooperation in the area of public health, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Thursday.
The MOU, signed Tuesday between Taipei and Ottawa, will allow the two sides to collaborate more efficiently on medical affairs and enhance their mutual response to public health emergencies, MOFA said in a press release.
Under the first "systematic and institutionalized" public health cooperation plan between the two sides, they will work together to promote global health security, digital health, and mental healthcare, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW).
They will also hold talent training and exchange programs, as well as joint workshops, the health ministry said in a separate press release on Thursday.
The MOU was signed simultaneously in Taipei and Ottawa by Canadian representative to Taiwan Jim Nickel and Taiwan's representative to Canada Harry Tseng (曾厚仁), respectively, the MOFA press release said.
The signing ceremonies on each side were attended by health and foreign affairs officials of the respective countries, MOFA said.
The MOU marked a "milestone" for Taiwan-Canada cooperation and reflected the strengthening of bilateral ties, Tseng was cited as saying in the press release.
Nickel, meanwhile, said on social media that the MOU will allow both sides to "improve the health and well-being of our people" and "ensure we are better equipped to prevent, prepare for and respond to future global health emergencies."
