Taiwan reiterated yesterday that it is aiming to achieve “meaningful participation” in international organizations and appealed for continued global support for its bid to join two such organizations, two weeks ahead of the annual UN General Assembly.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Shen Lyu-shun (沈呂巡) said at a news conference that the government’s strategy remained unchanged as it seeks to participate in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Taiwan has secured the support of various countries and organizations since last year, when the government listed entry to the UNFCCC and ICAO among its goals, he said.
International support for Taiwan’s efforts in this direction has come from the European Parliament, the Australian Parliament, the US Senate and 19 representatives of the US Congress, he said.
STATING ITS CASE
Taiwan will also ask its diplomatic allies to state its case in the 65th session of the UN General Assembly, which is scheduled to open on Sept. 14 in New York and at the 37th ICAO Assembly, which will be held in Montreal from Sept. 28 through Oct. 8, Shen said.
The allies will also make a similar effort at the UN Summit on the Millennium Development Goals, which will be held from Sept. 20 through Sept. 22, and the at ICAO Assembly, he said. An appeal will be made for Taiwan to be included in these bodies as part of the global cooperative effort on various issues, he said.
With respect to the 16th UNFCCC Conference of Parties to be held in Cancun, Mexico, from Nov. 29 through Dec. 10, Shen said, the ministry was still studying a proposal for that bid and would make an announcement at a later date.
OBSTRUCTION?
Shen declined to comment on whether Taiwan has a timetable for its entry to the UNFCCC and whether China has been working to obstruct its entry.
Taiwan has tried unsuccessfully to have the world body consider the issue of its representation since 1993, but its efforts have been blocked by Beijing.
During the UNFCCC Conference in the Danish capital, Copenhagen, in December, a Chinese official voiced opposition to Taiwan’s inclusion in the organization, citing Beijing’s “one China” principle.
Taipei said last September that the UNFCCC and the ICAO were the first two international organizations it would seek to join, and that it has a three-phase plan toward that goal.
Shen did not elaborate on Taiwan’s timetable or details of its strategy, saying only that it would be a continuing effort and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would implement its plans based on the situation as it develops.
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