Learning from Crimea, former Slovak minister tells Taiwan: Promote democracy, deny authoritarians a chance

Former Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok has called on Taiwan to actively promote its democratic values and deny opportunities for authoritarianism, emphasizing the need for vigilance in the face of global geopolitical shifts. Speaking at the 10th annual Yushan Forum in Taipei, Korčok drew parallels between the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and past crises, including Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea.

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The global community is facing a 'democratic versus authoritarian' confrontation that is unprecedented.

Korčok described the current global landscape as an "unprecedented" geopolitical upheaval, framing it as a fundamental confrontation between democracy and authoritarianism that affects regions from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. He highlighted that democratic nations must not only reject authoritarianism but also actively defend their values and systems.

Reflecting on Europe's response to the Crimea annexation, Korčok characterized the continent's past leniency as a "strategic mistake." He argued that subsequent global crises, including economic downturns, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine, have eroded public confidence in democratic institutions. Therefore, he stressed, democratic countries like Taiwan must be resilient and proactive in promoting the benefits of democratic governance.

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Europe's strategic mistake was its tolerance back then.

Korčok, who served as Slovakia's foreign minister and is now an opposition leader, expressed his commitment to deepening ties between Slovakia and Taiwan. He noted that if his party wins the upcoming election, they would reverse the current government's stance and pursue closer engagement with Taiwan, building on shared democratic ideals and a commitment to a rules-based international order. He urged Taiwan to actively champion its democratic achievements and legal frameworks, ensuring that populism and extremism find no foothold.

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Democratic countries must not only refuse to compromise with authoritarianism but also actively promote democratic values and their benefits.