The Holy See seeks solutions that are beneficial to all concerned parties instead of adopting a “win-lose” approach in its relationships with international allies, Monsignor Paul Russell, the Vatican’s top envoy to Taiwan, said yesterday in Taipei.
“We must seek to break out of the current international framework of competing alliances, in which one or some parties win and one or some parties lose. We must break out of the sterile win-lose approach,” Russell said at a Mass yesterday to mark the second anniversary of the election of Pope Francis.
A win-lose approach only fosters resentment in the party that has “lost,” Russell said.
“Instead, we must seek solutions which are ‘win-win’ situations beneficial to all concerned,” he said.
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Vanessa Shih (史亞平) attended the Mass to convey the government’s congratulations to Pope Francis and Russell.
Russell said Shih’s presence at the Mass was a sign of the esteem and respect which the Republic of China (ROC) has for the Holy See.
“I assure you, Vice Minister Shih, on behalf of the Holy See, that those feelings are mutual,” Russell said.
The Holy See values deeply each of the relationships it has with 180 countries, including the Republic of China (ROC), as well as unofficial relations it has with several other countries, and commits itself to work so that they may progress for the good of all peoples, he said.
Shih said that diplomatic relations between ROC and the Holy See are now in their 73rd year.
“We aim to further strengthen its humanitarian partnership with the Holy See based on shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights and compassion,” she said in a speech.
“We will also continue to serve as a peacemaker, promoting cross-strait and regional peace and stability, as we work together with the Vatican toward world peace,” she said.
Official ties between the ROC and the Vatican have weathered rumors at all times that the Holy See might switch recognition from Taipei to Beijing, most recently following a report by Hong Kong’s Apple Daily that a Sino-Vatican agreement is close at hand.
The ministry has repeatedly expressed its confidence in the nation’s relationship with the Vatican, saying that Beijing’s restrictions on religious freedom continue to be an obstacle to forging ties with the Holy See.
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