European parliamentary friendship groups and EU lawmakers recently joined the growing chorus of support around the world for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization and Interpol.
Klaus-Peter Willsch, chair of the Germany-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, said Oct. 6 in a news release that Taiwan plays an essential role in the global aviation safety and there is no reason to exclude it from ICAO—a U.N. specialized agency overseeing information exchanges in aviation safety, navigation and environmental protection.
“Without Taiwan’s participation, the international flight network is no longer complete as it is an important traffic hub in East Asia.”
In the same vein, Denis Jacquat, vice president of the France-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, said Oct. 6 in a statement that shutting Taiwan out of ICAO is regrettable. He praised the country for its contributions to international aviation safety and reaffirmed the group’s steadfast support for Taiwan to take part in international organizations.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Georges Dallemagne, co-chair of the Belgium-Taiwan Friendship Group. In a Facebook post Oct. 6, he said ICAO absent Taiwan endangers international aviation safety.
A nearly identical message was hammered home by Viviane Reding, honorary chairwoman of the European Parliament-Taiwan Friendship Group, during her address Oct. 7 at a Republic of China (Taiwan) Double Tenth National Day reception in Luxemburg.
In addition to stating her disappointment with ICAO for excluding Taiwan, she urged the global community to back Taiwan’s participation in Interpol.
“At a time when the world needs to strengthen anti-terrorism cooperation, Taiwan should be included in Interpol as an observer.”
Echoing the groups’ opinions, Hans van Baalen, member of the European Parliament and president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, said Oct. 7 on his personal website he “deeply deplores” the decision not to invite Taiwan to take part in the 39th ICAO assembly, which concluded Oct. 7 in Montreal.
“This directly goes against the spirit of U.N. cooperation and denies the need to include Taiwan for international flight safety,” he said, adding that ICAO must invite Taiwan to its meetings and capitalize on its related expertise.
“The international community should do everything possible to change the policy of ICAO in this respect.”
In response, the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Oct. 11 that it deeply appreciates the backing of the European parliamentary friendship groups and members of the European Parliament for the country’s bid to meaningfully participate in international organizations.
Taiwan is a crucial part of the global aviation system. It is responsible for administrating the Taipei Flight Information Region, which covers 180,000 square nautical miles and borders four other FIRs: Fukuoka, Hong Kong, Manila and Shanghai. In 2015, the Taipei FIR provided services to nearly 1.53 million flights carrying some 58 million travelers.
Interpol, headquartered in Lyon, France, is the world’s largest international police organization with 190 member countries. It facilitates borderless police cooperation in enhancing public safety while battling such criminal activities as corruption, human trafficking, intellectual property rights violations and money laundering. (SCK-E)
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