Taiwan, US, EU seek ways of expanding country’s international participation

2021/05/31

Officials from Taiwan, the U.S. and EU discussed ways of expanding Taiwan’s participation in international organizations during a virtual staged May 26 by Washington-based The German Marshall Fund of the United States.
 
The hourlong conversation featured Lily L. W. Hsu, secretary-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Jennifer Hendrixson White, senior policy advisor at the U.S. Mission to the U.N.; Filip Grzegorzewski, head of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan; and moderator Bonnie Glaser, director of the Asia Program at GMFUS.
 
Hsu said current challenges faced by Taiwan demonstrate that every country regardless of its success in managing the pandemic remains engaged in the fight against COVID-19. This further shows that Taiwan is an integral part of the global health system, she added.
 
Despite Taiwan’s coronavirus-combating credentials and reliability as a global partner in responding to health crises, Hsu said, the World Health Organization failed to invite the country to participate in the 74th World Health Assembly on political grounds.
 
It is important for Taiwan’s health experts to take part in WHA technical sessions so as to contribute to formulating the best approach for fighting the pandemic while exchanging related ideas with other countries, Hsu added.
 
According to Hsu, the recent communique issued by the Group of Seven foreign ministers backing Taiwan’s meaningful WHO and WHA participation is highly appreciated. The unprecedented gesture sends a powerful message to the rest of the world, she said.
 
Echoing Hsu’s remarks, White said the U.S. has long supported Taiwan’s presence in the WHO and WHA as this would benefit the world and the WHO itself. It is encouraging to see the increased willingness of G-7 countries to publicly express support for Taiwan’s inclusion, she added.
 
Grzegorzewski, who described Taiwan as a like-minded partner of the EU, said the two sides share the values of freedom, democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights. The EU supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations, and will continue to deepen joint cooperation in public health, he added.
 
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “What are the best ways forward for #Taiwan’s participation in international organizations? Watch our Secretary General Lily L. W. Hsu, @JenniferHWhite, @grzegorzewskif & @BonnieGlaser thrash out the question during an enlightening @gmfus conversation.”


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