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June 19, 2019: Taiwan and Poland signed Agreement between the Taipei Representative Office in Poland and the Polish Office in Taipei on the Legal Cooperation in Criminal Matters in Taipei

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Justice Minister Mr. Ching-Hsiang TSAI, Foreign Affair Minister Dr. Jaushieh Wu and Undersecretary of State of Polish Ministry of Justice Mr. Łukasz Piebiak jointly witnessed the signing ceremony of the first Agreement of Legal Cooperation in Criminal Matter that has been ever be concluded between Taiwan and EU member state. Representative Mr. Maciej Gaca of the Polish Office in Taipei and Representative Mr. Weber V.B. Shih of the Taipei Representative Office in Poland singed the Agreement on behalf of Poland and Taiwan.

The signing of this Agreement demonstrated that rule of law, democracy, stable public order and the protection of human rights are shared beliefs and values of Polish and Taiwanese people. Those beliefs and values in common are and will be the central pillars of our flourishing cooperation between the two countries. The agreement covers concisely and comprehensively mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, extradition and prisoner transfer between both parties is in effect the result of our mutual trust and close cooperation in practice over years between the two countries. It marks as a milestone in cooperation on criminal matters between Poland and Taiwan and will further strengthen common efforts in the fight against transnational crime by enabling the use of modern tools of cooperation between both sides. It also shows both countries share firm commitment to the international effort in fighting crimes.  

The agreement is the first wide-ranging agreement on comprehensive judicial cooperation between EU member state and Taiwan. Before signing this agreement, Taiwan has concluded arrangements on prisoner transfer matter respectively with Germany and UK, followed by seven German and one British convicted persons being transferred to serve sentenced term in their home countries. The agreement signing with Poland is a new step toward greater development of the collaboration in the area of international judicial cooperation for Taiwan.

The Agreement with Poland is the 5th agreement of its kind between Taiwan and other countries/jurisdiction. The other 4 countries/jurisdictions that already have Agreements on mutual legal assistance with Taiwan are the United States, Philippines, South Africa and Mainland China.

The Agreement signed on 17th June 2019 will lead Poland and Taiwan to more effective cooperation, including mutual legal assistance, extradition and prisoner transfer, on the basis of reciprocity. A wide range of Mutual legal assistance available under the Agreement includes: taking the testimony or statements of persons directly or indirectly; taking the testimony or statements of persons directly or indirectly by use of video transmission technology; providing documents, records, and articles of evidence; locating or identifying persons; serving documents; executing requests for searches and seizures; examining objects and sites; assisting in proceedings related to freezing or forfeiture of assets.

During the visit to Taiwan, Undersecretary of State of Polish Ministry of Justice Mr. Łukasz Piebiak met with Justice Minister Mr. Ching-Hsiang Tsai and exchanged views on judicial cooperation and human rights matters. Undersecretary Mr. Piebiak also paid a visit to Taipei District Prosecutors Office and Investigation Bureau, Ministry of Justice so as to realize the practice of crime prevention, investigation and prosecution on cybercrime, financial crime and telecom fraud in Taiwan. Immediately after the conclusion of the Agreement and the official visits, Poland and Taiwan hold 1st Judicial Cooperation Consultation in Taipei in a friendly and constructive atmosphere in Taipei. Both sides exchanged views on the issues of prisoner transfer and providing assistance efficient. Poland and Taiwan agreed to enhance cooperation on the topics raised during the consultation.

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