President Ma Ying-jeou met on the afternoon of July 17 with a delegation of permanent representatives from four of the ROC's diplomatic allies to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and other international organizations in Austria. The president, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC welcomed the visitors and briefed them on the ROC's efforts and achievements in its quest to participate in international organizations.
In remarks, the president explained that the ROC lost its representation in the United Nations (UN) in 1971, but its Constitution states that "the foreign policy of the Republic of China shall … respect treaties and the Charter of the United Nations." So the government still pursues diplomatic policies that accord with the principles set forth in the UN Charter.
President Ma stated that since taking office in 2008 he has strived to win more breathing room for the ROC in the international community, and added that these efforts have been well received by the international community. For instance, starting in 2009, the ROC's Minister of Health has led a delegation from Taiwan to attend the World Health Assembly as an observer for five straight years, he said. In addition, the ROC in recent years also became a party to the Agreement on Government Procurement under the framework of the World Trade Organization, he noted. Both of these examples point to the success of the government's efforts to improve cross-strait relations and implement a policy of "reducing conflict and creating win-win solutions," he stated.
With respect to foreign relations, President Ma told the visitors that the ROC has solidified alliances with its diplomatic partners over the past five years while striving to enhance substantive relations with countries which without diplomatic ties. At present, he said, the number of jurisdictions that provide visa-free treatment or landing visas to ROC nationals has increased to 133, from 54 when he took office, which shows that the efforts of the ROC have been received positively by the international community.
President Ma remarked that the ROC is actively seeking to participate in International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) activities. He explained that Taiwan is situated in the heart of East Asia and the Taipei Flight Information Region provides air traffic control services to some 1.3 million flights passing through Taiwan's air space each year, so Taiwan needs access to up-to-the-minute aviation information. The president mentioned that US President Barack Obama recently signed legislation supporting Taiwan's bid to join the ICAO. He further expressed hope that the international community will clearly see the importance of Taiwan's participation in this organization and supports its efforts to join.
President Ma mentioned that the ROC and New Zealand on July 10 this year signed the Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Cooperation (ANZTEC). This is the first economic cooperation agreement that the ROC has signed with a country with which it does not maintain diplomatic relations, making it all the more meaningful. The president also explained that on June 21 the two sides of the Taiwan Strait signed the Cross-Strait Trade in Services Agreement. These breakthroughs prove that, under the government's "viable diplomacy" policy, cross-strait ties and Taiwan's foreign relations are mutually complementary, i.e. a virtuous cycle has formed, the president said.
On the topic of nuclear safety, President Ma told the visitors that the ROC is actively working to strengthen its relationship with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). To curb the illegal international trade of nuclear devices, the ROC has formally joined the agency's Procurement Outreach Programme, he said, which shows the ROC's determination to participate in the international nuclear safety system. In addition, the IAEA last year ranked the unit capability factor of the ROC as fifth in the world of the 31 nations that operate nuclear power plants, he noted. In the future, the president said, the ROC will continue to work with the international community to promote nuclear safety and support peaceful use of nuclear power.
President Ma reiterated that the ROC will continue to respect the spirit of the UN Charter and seek peaceful resolution of disputes. The president urged his guests to continue speaking on behalf of the ROC in international venues, thereby increasing the opportunity for the ROC to join international organizations.
The delegation included Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the UNOV Ramon Andres Quinones Rodriguez and Mrs. Quinones; Permanent Representative of the Republic of El Salvador to the UNOV Mario Antonio Rivera Mora and Mrs. Rivera; Permanent Representative of the Republic of Nicaragua to the UNOV Alvaro Jose Robelo Gonzalez and Mrs. Robelo; and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Panama to the UNOV Ricardo Vallarino Perez and Mrs. Vallarino. Also attending the meeting were Secretary-General to the President Timothy Chin-Tien Yang (楊進添), National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Philip Y. M. Yang (楊永明), and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Vanessa Yea-Ping Shih (史亞平).