The backing of allies and like-minded partners for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in Interpol is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nov. 26.
Taiwan’s allies sent letters or spoke in support of the country’s participation in the international police organization as an observer during its general assembly Nov. 23 to 25 in Turkey, the MOFA said. This was complemented by backing from like-minded partners such as Rick Waters, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs; Ben Knapen, foreign minister of the Netherlands; and Abdinasir Omer Jama, deputy foreign minister of Somaliland, the ministry added.
In addition, lawmakers and legislative bodies from 35-plus countries and territories spoke for Taiwan. These include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Spain, South Africa, the Netherlands, the U.K. and the U.S., as well as the Central American Parliament, European Parliament and the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.
Another high point was an op-ed outlining how Taiwan Can Help combat cybercrime in the post-pandemic era by Huang Jia-lu, commissioner of the Criminal Investigation Bureau under the Ministry of the Interior. The well-received piece, run by numerous international media outlets, was supplemented by street advertising in Istanbul—host city of the general assembly.
As an important stakeholder in the global police community, Taiwan is willing and able to make greater contributions, the MOFA said, adding that Interpol should make proper arrangements for the country to take part in its activities, mechanisms and meetings so as to strengthen international security.
Established in 1923 and headquartered in France, Interpol is the world’s second largest intergovernmental organization after the U.N. with 195 member states. It facilitates borderless police cooperation to enhance public safety.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Mission in Ankara said “@INTERPOL_HQ’s General Assembly is underway in #Turkey. READ the op-ed by #Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau commissioner! Learn why the country must participate in #INTERPOL, & how #TaiwanCanHelp fight crime & make the world a safer place.” (YCH-E)
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