Over 100 members of the European Parliament signed a joint letter, May 14, urging the respective Health Ministers of all 27 EU Member States to help facilitate Taiwan’s participation as an observer in the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA).
Scheduled for May 18-19, the Assembly will be the 73rd such session held by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Despite growing calls for Taiwan’s inclusion, however, the country is yet to receive an invitation for the event.
The letter was initiated by two MEPs: Urmas Paet, former Estonian foreign minister, and Michael Gahler, chairman of the EP-Taiwan Friendship Group. In total it was signed by 102 MEPs and four members of the German Bundestag.
The legislators argue for a “return for the 2009-2016 format” – in reference to the period in which Taiwan was allowed to participate in the WHA as an observer. Further, they specifically request the invitation of Chen Shih-chung, Taiwan’s Minister of Health and Welfare.
The letter goes on to stress that such an arrangement is already officially supported by the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs received the lawmakers’ message warmly, responding that they hope “WHO would listen to the public’s voice in Europe”.