A resolution adopted by the Foreign and European Union Affairs and Health Committees of the Senate of Poland that calls for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization is welcomed by the government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said July 21.
Passed unanimously the day before, the resolution states that the country’s successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic and expertise in public health are receiving recognition from the international community. It calls on the Polish government to actively work with like-minded partners to support Taiwan’s bid for observer status in the World Health Assembly, the WHO’s decision-making body.
According to the MOFA, it follows a resolution passed by the Senate’s Foreign and EU Affairs Committee backing the inclusion of Taiwan’s academics and experts in the WHO’s activities, mechanisms and meetings in 2006. The support expressed by Senate Marshal Tomasz Grodzki and Deputy Marshal Michal Kaminski for the new resolution additionally shows the two sides’ rock-solid friendship, the ministry added.
Taiwan has closely cooperated with Poland to combat the pandemic over the past few years, the MOFA said, adding that this is evidenced by the two sides’ mutual donations of face masks, protective garments and vaccines, as well as former Vice President Chen Chien-jen’s participation at a virtual COVID-19 response meeting convened by Polish Academy of Sciences President Jerzy Duszynski last November.
The relationship between Taiwan and Poland is going from strength to strength following the two sides’ collaboration in assisting Ukraine refugees impacted by Russia’s invasion, the MOFA said. The government is committed to working with like-minded partners such as Poland to realize health for all while making further contributions to global development, it added.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said: “Our sincere thanks to @PolskiSenat’s Foreign & #EU Affairs & Health committees for unanimous passage of a resolution urging #Taiwan’s participation in the @WHO & observer status in the World Health Assembly. Together, we can realize #HealthForAll!” (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw