MOFA thanks allies, partners for backing Taiwan’s ICAO bid

2019/09/26

Staunch support by allies and like-minded partners for Taiwan’s participation in the 40th general assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization running Sept. 24 to Oct. 4 in Montreal is sincerely appreciated by the government and the people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
 
 While the non-invitation of Taiwan due to political reasons is deeply regrettable, global support for the country’s attendance at the triennial event is stronger than ever and reflects the necessity and urgency of its involvement in the U.N. specialized agency, the MOFA said.
 
 Such backing demonstrates that a country with virtue like Taiwan is never alone, the MOFA added, urging ICAO not to be manipulated by a single member country. It is hoped the organization can adopt a professional approach and make proper arrangements for Taiwan’s participation to ensure the integrity of the global aviation safety network, the ministry said.
 
 According to the MOFA, allies Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Kingdom of Eswatini, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tuvalu sent letters to ICAO President Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu or Secretary-General Fang Liu calling for Taiwan’s involvement, as well as voice support for the country during the assembly.
 
 Taiwan’s ICAO bid also received positive response from the executive and legislative branches of countries like Belgium, Canada, Chile, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the U.K. and U.S.
 
 In addition, foreign ministers from leading industrial nations comprising the G-7 said in an April communique that they support substantive participation of all active members of the international aviation community in ICAO forums, adding that excluding some for political purposes compromises aviation safety and security.
 
 Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former prime minister of Denmark and NATO secretary-general, also backed Taiwan’s ICAO involvement in an op-ed published Sept. 20 by Canadian daily The Globe and Mail. “Universality is a defining principle of the U.N. And yet Taiwan is denied the simple right to sit, even as an observer, in its forums,” he said.
 
“One small but significant step would be inviting Taiwan to attend the ICAO assembly.”

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)