The release by the Formosa Club reiterating support for Taiwan is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
In the May 24 statement, the cross-parliamentary group reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, called for peaceful resolution of issues in the area and opposed reckless and aggressive behavior to unilaterally change the status quo.
Describing Taiwan as an indispensable member of the international community, the coalition of lawmakers stressed its continued support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in global bodies including the International Civil Aviation Organization, U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, World Health Organization and Interpol.
The statement, signed by 34 attendees, was issued after the organization’s inaugural Unity Summit hosted by Michael Gahler, chairman of the European Parliament-Taiwan Friendship Group. Co-chairs and key lawmakers in the Formosa Club and interested parties from around the world attended the event in person or via video link, according to the MOFA.
Deputy Foreign Minister Roy Chun Lee was also present at the summit to offer remarks during which he recognized the Formosa Club’s vocal support since its establishment in October 2019. He lauded its international reach, with chapters in Africa, Latin America, West Asia, the Indo-Pacific and the Caribbean.
Lee also took the opportunity to thank the group’s co-chairs for four consecutive years sending letters to Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, advocating for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly. The group has also issued statements condemning China for conducting military exercises in waters and airspace near Taiwan, as well as supporting the Lithuanian government’s decision to expand relations with Taiwan, he said.
Given the escalating challenges from expanding authoritarianism, Lee urged members of the free world to work together to strengthen supply chain resilience and ensure security and prosperity.
Gahler and other participating lawmakers praised Taiwan’s exceptional disease management and contributions to global health, saying that they will persevere in their work to forge closer ties with Taiwan. They also called on democratic countries around the world to continue to stand with Taiwan. (SFC-E)
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