By Martin Banks - 20th July 2010
No other country is excluded
David Lin
The European commission has been urged to provide more "concrete" support for Taiwan's claim for its involvement in two key United Nations agencies.
Taiwan's new representative to the EU David Lin says the executive should "follow the example set by the European parliament" and give its backing to the country's case.
Taipei is seeking "meaningful participation" in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a UN specialised agency, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Possible opposition from mainland China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan, is widely seen as the main reason for its current exclusion from both organisations.
In an exclusive interview with this website, Lin said Taiwan's exclusion from the ICAO is "detrimental to international civil aviation safety."
In March this year, parliament adopted a resolution calling for Taiwan to be allowed to participate as an observer in the agency that provides up-to-date information on aviation standards and norms.
Lin, a former deputy foreign minister, now wants the commission to do likewise, and provide "more concrete support" for Taiwan's meaningful participation.
He said that the recent Icelandic ash cloud crisis that paralysed much of European air space highlighted the "urgent need" for Taiwan's inclusion in the ICAO.
An estimated 2,000 Taiwanese nationals were stranded at European airports but, because of it's exclusion from the ICAO, Taiwan was unable to obtain practical information from the agency about the crisis.
Lin said, "I am calling on the international community, including the European commission, to face up to the potentially harmful consequences that Taiwan's continued exclusion from the ICAO could have for international aviation security."
He urged the ICAO to "find ways" to let Taiwan to participate directly in the international civil aviation system.
"The European parliament has, with its resolution, given its support and we are looking towards the commission to be more vocal in its support."
Lin wants the EU to endorse Taiwan's call to be allowed to take part as an observer in the ICAO general assembly in Montreal in September.
Turning to the UNFCCC, Lin said Taiwan had a "vital contribution" to make in joining global efforts to tackling climate change but that this was currently denied.
He believes the island should be afforded observer status at the upcoming UN climate change conference in Cancun, Mexico from 29 November to 10 December.
"No other country is excluded and we should also be allowed to make a contribution," said Lin, who took up his new posting one month ago.
"Clearly, there needs to be more political will for this to happen but my hope is that the current rapprochement with mainland China will open up more opportunities for Taiwan."
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