The backing of Formosa Club chapters in Latin America and the Caribbean for Taiwan’s participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Sept. 30.
According to the MOFA, a total of 217 lawmakers from 16 countries in the two regions have supported Taiwan’s bid for meaningful participation in ICAO activities, mechanisms and meetings via petitions, letters and tweets.
A letter signed by legislators from the two Formosa Club chapters requested that ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano invite Taiwan to the 41st triennial assembly of the U.N. specialized agency scheduled for Sept. 27 to Oct. 7 in Montreal.
Despite being an indispensable part of the global aviation network, Taiwan continues to be excluded from ICAO and is thus unable to obtain comprehensive ICAO information in a timely manner, it added.
Furthermore, China’s recent military exercises around Taiwan have affected global air routes and jeopardized safety in the Taipei Flight Information Region and adjacent FIRs, the letter said, adding that aviation safety transcends national borders and must not be politicized.
Given this year’s ICAO session theme of “Reconnecting the World,” the letter asserted that it would be highly appropriate to invite Taiwan to attend. Only by welcoming all stakeholders to participate can ICAO achieve its goal of ensuring safe, efficient and economical global air transport, it added.
According to the MOFA, the letter follows resolutions expressing the same stance recently passed by the parliaments of diplomatic allies such as Belize, Guatemala and St. Lucia. Lawmakers from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru, as well as eight diplomatic allies in Latin America and the Caribbean including Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Paraguay, have all voiced support for Taiwan’s participation, the ministry said.
As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue working with like-minded partners to promote international civil aviation safety and good governance, the ministry added. (DL-E)
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