Taiwan to continue pragmatic approach with U.N.: ministry
ROC Central News Agency
2010/08/12 16:10:38
Taipei, Aug. 12 (CNA) The government will continue to take a pragmatic approach toward Taiwan's participation in specialized agencies of the United Nations this year, Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Yang said Thursday.
As with last year, Taiwan will not make any formal U.N. bids during the annual session of the U.N. General Assembly slated to open Sept. 14 in New York, Yang told the Central News Agency.
The minister, however, said this does not mean that the government has given up on its effort to participate in the U.N., but rather indicates a change in strategy in accordance with changes in cross-Taiwan Strait and international situations.
Since 1993, Taiwan has been trying -- unsuccessfully, due to Beijing's objections -- to have the U.N. discuss the issue of its representation. In 2008, the country shifted its strategy to promoting a bid to "participate meaningfully in the activities of specialized U.N. agencies, " in line with President Ma Ying-jeou's policy of flexible diplomacy.
Taiwan has since 2009 promoted a campaign to take part in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the International Civil Aviation Organization. Yang said that over the past year, Taiwan's bids to join the groups have won the support of many countries.
For example, he said, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted a resolution July 29 calling for observer status for Taiwan in the aviation group. This followed a similar move by the European Parliament in March. (By Garfie Li and Y.F. Low) ENDITEM/bc
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