Former NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller on Friday underscored the importance of continued collaboration between Taiwan and Pacific island nations amid growing geostrategic competition in the Indo-Pacific.
“It is important that we all participate in developing close working partnerships with the Pacific island states,” said Gottemoeller, who served as NATO deputy chief from 2016-2019 and U.S. undersecretary of state from 2012-2016, during brief remarks delivered virtually at the Yushan Forum in Taipei.
Gottemoeller, who is currently a research fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, said the importance of Pacific island states had been enhanced by “the larger geostrategic competition” taking place in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to Gottemoeller, there has been competition for control of infrastructure, especially ports and basic facilities, in the region, with countries showing a desire for fishery resources in the near term as well as access to seabed mining of critical minerals in the longer term.
Gottemoeller said Taiwan should have a role to play as the United States expands its partnership with Pacific island nations given that Taiwan has already assisted its Pacific allies in such areas as public health, agriculture, education, and climate security.
She noted that Australia and New Zealand had been working closely with Pacific island states to help them boost critical coast guard capabilities and surveillance skills for preserving fisheries resources in their territorial seas and economic zones.
“Working together, we will not only build up close partnerships that will have mutual economic benefits but also enhance the resilience of these islands and their ability to survive in spite of rapid climate change and greater geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific region,” she added.
Meanwhile, former U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd, who currently serves as a senior counsel at the American law firm Arnold & Porter, said in a pre-recorded video that he believed Washington would continue to strengthen its partnerships with Taiwan on trade, investment and diplomacy, among other issues.
“Deepening our ties with Taiwan is an important part of U.S. policy in the region,” the retired lawmaker said.
The U.S. is committed to promoting peace in the region, as it is beneficial not only for Taiwan but also for the U.S. and its allies, according to Dodd.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel