The staunch support shown by like-minded partners for Taiwan’s bid to participate as an observer in the 71st World Health Assembly is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 15.
Such backing demonstrates that a country with virtue like Taiwan is never alone, the MOFA said. More global partners are urged to call on the World Health Organization to invite Taiwan to attend in an equal and dignified manner the WHA May 21-26 in Geneva, as well as other activities and meetings of the WHO, the ministry added.
The MOFA’s remarks follow recent strong public statements by a lawmaker, officials and organizations from Canada, the EU, Japan and the U.S.
In a May 14 post on its official Facebook page, Tokyo-headquartered Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association said the East Asian country has consistently backed Taiwan’s participation as an observer in the WHA. It is very regrettable Taiwan is not invited by the WHO as there can be no gap in the control and prevention of communicable diseases, the JTEA added.
These sentiments were echoed May 10 by Matt DeCourcey, a Canadian member of parliament and parliamentary secretary to the minister of foreign affairs, during question period in the House of Commons.
“We certainly continue to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international multilateral fora, where its presence provides important contributions to the global public good,” DeCourcey said. “Taiwan’s role as an observer in the annual WHA meetings is in the interest of the international health community and it is important to the fight against pandemic and disease.”
In a May 9 post on its official Facebook page, the American Institute in Taiwan said the U.S. strongly supports Taiwan’s participation as an observer in the WHA. In addition, AIT spokesperson Sonia Urbom said the U.S. is “greatly dismayed” that China has once again blocked Taiwan from receiving an invitation to attend.
A similar position was adopted by Maja Kocijancic, a spokesperson for the EU’s European External Action Service, during a May 9 interview in Brussels. The EU supports practical solutions regarding Taiwan’s participation in international frameworks, and its attendance at WHA and WHO technical meetings is welcomed and in line with EU policy, she said. (SFC-E)
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