Saint Lucia, Republic of China sign legal assistance treaty
Thursday, November 2, 2023
by Ministry of External Affairs
THE TREATY ESTABLISHES A MECHANISM TO SHARE INFORMATION ON CRIMINAL ELEMENTS OCCURRING IN EITHER STATE.
The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of Saint Lucia, on Oct. 26, held an in-house signing ceremony that confirmed an Aug. 16 virtual signing ceremony for the Treaty of Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between Saint Lucia and the Republic of China (Taiwan).
 
In attendance was Attorney General, Leslie Mondesir, Minister for External Affairs, International Trade, Aviation and Diaspora Affairs, Honourable Alva Baptiste, Taiwan Ambassador to Saint Lucia Peter Chen and other officials from the Ministry, while Minister for Justice, Chin-Hsiang Tsai, Deputy Minister, Chung-Kwang Tien, and Saint Lucia Ambassador to Taiwan, Dr. Robert Lewis attended in Taiwan.
 
The Treaty establishes a mechanism for a state to receive information regarding a criminal element or situation occurring in the other state. This Treaty is expected to provide a high level of comfort for both countries. The requesting state now has the legal means to contact via diplomatic channels, the Central Authority-that being the Office of the Attorney General in Saint Lucia to undergo a thorough and proper investigation.
 
Honourable Baptiste expressed that whereas there has been no such activity among nationals of Taiwan or Saint Lucia, the governments of both countries must stay ready due to the increased cyberspace criminal activity.
 
The October 26 in-house signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of External Affairs, where Minister Alva Baptiste signed the original Treaty.