[Politics] Morocco Temporarily Halts Visa Applications for ROC Nationals; Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seeks Communication for Improvement
RtiTalk 小編4h ago
Regarding the Moroccan government's suspension of accepting visa applications from Republic of China (Taiwan) nationals, Yen Chia-liang, Director-General of the Department of West Asian and African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), stated today (11th) that it is currently assessed that the Moroccan government's action may not be specifically targeting Taiwan. However, this move has indeed affected the only channel for ROC nationals to travel to Morocco. Therefore, we call on Morocco once again to face the need for bilateral people-to-people exchanges. MOFA is also communicating and explaining with Morocco through like-minded countries, hoping that this situation can be improved as soon as possible. #Reported by reporter Wang Chao-kun#
The Embassy of Morocco in Japan notified Taiwanese travel agencies in late July to suspend the acceptance of applications for "Visa Confirmation Letters" for ROC nationals to enter Morocco. Based on the principle of reciprocity in bilateral exchanges, MOFA also announced that starting from July 30th, except for special approvals, visa applications for Moroccan nationals to enter Taiwan will be suspended.
Director-General Yen Chia-liang of the MOFA's Department of West Asian and African Affairs stated that Morocco's action is not targeting Taiwan, but Taiwan still calls on the Moroccan government to face and maintain the convenience of business and travel exchanges between the people of both countries, and to resume normal bilateral civilian exchanges as soon as possible. Yen Chia-liang said: "(Original sound) According to the information currently available, this 'Visa Confirmation Letter' is not only issued to Taiwan, but also to some other specific countries, such as Iran and Kosovo, which are subject to similar regulations. Therefore, based on current understanding, it may not be specifically targeting Taiwan, but Taiwan might be the largest group."
Regarding the reciprocal measure of restricting Moroccan nationals from applying to enter Taiwan, Yen Chia-liang pointed out that the ROC government will consider special cases only for reasons such as "maintaining family reunion for visiting relatives or dependents," "students studying in Taiwan in accordance with the ROC government's invitation," "official trips to Taiwan at the invitation of the ROC government," or "medical treatment."
In addition, regarding the incidents of Ugandan immigration officials detaining ROC nationals' passports and refusing entry to ROC nationals, Yen Chia-liang stated that the ROC Representative Office in Somaliland immediately assisted through the Ugandan Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce. Currently, one ROC national has departed, and efforts are ongoing to provide assistance to the other.
Yen Chia-liang pointed out that the preliminary understanding of the cause of the incident is related to Taiwan's temporary suspension of visa issuance to Ugandan nationals in response to the Ebola epidemic. However, it is also possible that the Ugandan government may have adjusted its entry policy for ROC nationals due to its "One China Principle." Therefore, the ROC Representative Office in Somaliland will continue to negotiate and communicate with the Ugandan government and provide necessary assistance and care to the affected ROC nationals.
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=225489
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