President Ma Ying-jeou met on the morning of April 7 with a delegation of permanent representatives from two of the ROC's allies to the United Nations Rome-based agencies. In addition to welcoming the ambassadors to Taiwan, the president also briefed them on the ROC's efforts to join international organizations, and described progress made toward this goal.
In remarks, President Ma noted that the ROC was a charter member of the United Nations (UN), but after losing its seat there in 1971 it was long unable to participate in UN activities. Nonetheless, he said, the ROC has always believed in the concepts promoted by the UN. He commented that in 1993 the ROC began actively working to again take part in UN activities and organizations, adding that it hopes its allies will speak on its behalf in international venues to enhance its chances to participate in international organizations.
President Ma stated that since taking office in 2008 he has strived to improve cross-strait relations, in part through the adoption of a "viable diplomacy" policy. These efforts enabled Taiwan in 2009, after a long hiatus, to again attend as an observer at the World Health Assembly, which is held annually by the World Health Organization. And in September 2013, the president noted, Taiwan was invited to attend the assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization as a special guest after a 42-year absence. Moreover, President Ma commented, in recent years Taiwan has also become party to the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement. All of these breakthroughs constitute examples of Taiwan's improved relationship with the international community, he said.
The president further stated that the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, International Fund for Agricultural Development, and World Food Programme all maintain their headquarters in Rome, and share the common goal of eliminating hunger. President Ma said the ROC is a nation based on agriculture, adding that even back in 1959 when the nation was still a recipient of aid, it began dispatching agricultural technology missions to Africa to share Taiwan's experiences in agricultural development. The president stated that Taiwan today is a provider of assistance to other countries and has over 30 technical missions stationed in nations around the world to share its agricultural technology and give back to the international community.
In discussing the topic of regional economic integration throughout the world, President Ma indicated that Taiwan is presently strengthening its efforts to promote the negotiation and signing of free trade agreements or economic cooperation agreements with its major trading partners. He pointed out that Taiwan has signed the Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement with mainland China and a Bilateral Investment Arrangement with Japan. The president also remarked that last year Taiwan signed economic cooperation agreements with New Zealand and Singapore, hoping to create the conditions conducive to joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
President Ma thanked the visitors for speaking at many UN venues in support of the ROC's meaningful participation in international activities. He also commented that the ROC is the world's 18th largest trading nation and is known throughout the world for its expertise in information, communications, and photovoltaics. Although Taiwan faces diplomatic challenges, it is still able to rely on its economic prowess to promote its international relationships, he said. President Ma also expressed hope that nations throughout the world will continue to improve their relations with Taiwan, which would help in expanding Taiwan's participation in the world community.
The visitors included Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the UN Rome-based agencies Vinicio Alfonso Tobal Urena and Mrs. Tobal Urena; and Permanent Representative of El Salvador to the UN Rome-based agencies Aida Luz Santos De Escobar.