ROC President Ma Ying-jeou said July 17 that the government is seeking overseas backing of its efforts to secure participation for Taiwan in the International Civil Aviation Organization and other U.N.-affiliated organizations.
“We are leaving no stone unturned in seeking support from the world community for Taiwan’s ICAO bid,” Ma said.
“Our participation is of great importance, as Taiwan is located in the center of East Asia and provides navigation services to more than 1.3 million controlled flights passing through the Taipei Flight Information Region each year. It is necessary for us to immediately access related information provided by ICAO.”
Ma made the remarks while receiving a delegation of ROC diplomatic ally permanent representatives to the U.N. Vienna office at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.
The group comprises Alvaro Jose Robelo Gonzalez of Nicaragua; Mario Antonio Rivera Mora of El Salvador; Ramon Andres Quinones Rodriguez of Dominican Republic; and Ricardo Vallarino Perez of Panama.
Ma said U.S. President Barack Obama recently signed into law H.R. 1151, an act backing Taiwan’s ICAO bid.
This development is closely linked to the fact that since Ma took office in May 2008, the ROC government has adopted a policy of improving cross-strait relations while employing viable diplomacy to win greater recognition and support from the international community.
The approach has delivered fruitful results such as Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly as an observer for five consecutive years; its accession to World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement; and an increase in number of countries and territories offering ROC nationals visa-free treatment, Ma said.
Concerning economic cooperation and trade, improved cross-strait ties have also helped conclude the Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Cooperation (ANZTEC) and Cross-Strait Trade in Services Agreement, he added.
“These accomplishments prove that under viable diplomacy, cross-strait affairs and international relations have turned into a virtuous cycle and can exist in unison.”
The president said the government is looking to strengthen cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and promote nuclear security while curbing illegal trade and movement of nuclear materials.
Ma added that Taiwan’s admission into the IAEA Procurement Outreach Program and its No.5 global ranking under the IAEA unit capability factor demonstrate a commitment and ability to play a greater role in international nuclear security.
Earlier in the day, while receiving French and German parliamentary delegations, Ma reaffirmed the government’s goal of taking part in ICAO and signing an economic cooperation agreement with the EU.
The French group was led by Jean-Marie Bockel, senator and vice president of the Taiwan Friendship Group, while the German mission was led by Ernst Hinsken, chairman of the Bundestag’s Committee on Economics and Technology.
Ma praised close Taiwan-France relations across a spectrum of areas, adding that France is Taiwan’s fourth largest trading partner in Europe and Taiwan France’s fifth largest trading partner in Asia. Two-way trade totaled 4.24 billion euros (US$5.56 billion) in 2012. The two countries collaborate on 58 scientific and technology programs, have more than 200 educational pacts, and enjoy robust cultural exchanges.
As for Germany, Ma said the nation is Taiwan’s largest trading partner in Europe and ninth largest in the world, while Taiwan Germany’s fifth largest trading partner in Asia. Two-way trade totaled US$13 billion in 2012. He added that the two countries also share close people-to-people exchanges. (RC-JSM)
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