By Martin Banks - 17th September 2009
The calamity that has affected Taiwan may well become more commonplace both in Taiwan and around the world as a result of climate change
Charles Tannock
The devastating typhoon which struck Taiwan last month highlights the "urgent need" for the island to be allowed to participate in international organisations, parliament has heard.
UK Tory MEP Charles Tannock was speaking in a debate on the EU's response to the disaster at the end of this week's monthly plenary in Strasbourg on Thursday.
He said, "The calamity that has affected Taiwan may well become more commonplace both in Taiwan and around the world as a result of climate change.
"It is therefore essential that Taiwan, as an island vulnerable to such meteorological phenomena and as a major global industrial power, is enabled to participate meaningfully and with dignity in appropriate international organisations, not least those related to weather and climate change."
Tannock told MEPs that Taiwan should be allowed to participate in the United Nations framework convention for climate change and the World Meteorological Organisation (WM0).
He said that member states and the commission both support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in UN bodies, adding, "I hope they will use the opportunity that this disaster has presented to promote Taiwan’s involvement in these structures."
Tannock, chairman of parliament's Taiwan friendship group, will lead an eight-strong delegation of MEPs to Taiwan next month to assess the damage caused by the typhoon.
The group also expects to hold meetings with the country's president on a range of issues, including EU/Taiwan relations and cross-strait relations.
He added, "The scenes of devastation and destruction caused by Typhoon Morakot will remain in our minds for a long time.
"But many people in Taiwan will be living with the consequences of this tragedy for years to come. Hundreds of people lost their lives and thousands of others have faced major disruption.
"The Taiwanese government under president Ma responded promptly by deploying soldiers to the worst-affected communities and requesting assistance from the international community.
"The Swedish EU presidency and the commission should be congratulated for their work to activate the community civil protection mechanism."
He added, "I hope the commission will commit to long-term assistance to Taiwan to enable full recovery and rebuilding. I have no doubt of the gratitude of the people and government of Taiwan for the solidarity and support shown by the EU.
Tannock is also critical of the conference of presidents, or political group leaders, for refusing to allow him to put forward a resolution on this week's parliamentary agenda relating to Taiwan.
The resolution also called for Taiwan to be allowed to send a delegation to the UN conference on climate change in Copenhagen in December.
Instead, a debate was held on Thursday following a commission statement on the current situation in Taiwan.
The EU still maintains its support for the so-called One-China policy but it now supports Taiwan's "meaningful participation" in international organisations where statehood is not an issue.
Tannock, a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists group, said, "There was no logical reason for the political group's refusal to allow the resolution to go forward.
"Calls for Taiwan to be allowed to take part in the WMO are not made for political reasons but for humanitarian reasons. This is all about improving Taiwan's ability to deal with such natural disasters in the future.
"The resolution was important because it would have amounted to a statement of intent by parliament. It is very disappointing that it was not allowed on the agenda."
Taiwan is still struggling to cope with the aftermath of the typhoon which struck the island at the start of August, killing some 770 people.
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