November 30, 2021
No. 255
The French National Assembly on November 29 adopted a resolution supporting the inclusion of Taiwan in international organization affairs and multilateral platforms, with 39 votes in favor, three abstentions, and two votes against. The resolution recognizes the French government’s continued backing of Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly, International Civil Aviation Organization, International Criminal Police Organization, and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, among other global bodies. Minister of State at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne reaffirmed the French government’s steadfast support of Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.
The backing of the French National Assembly comes within six months of the French Senate adopting a similar resolution, also for the first time, on May 6, setting a historic precedent of both houses of the French Parliament adopting their first-ever pro-Taiwan resolutions and jointly voicing their staunch support for Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) warmly welcomes and sincerely appreciates these steps. MOFA is also grateful that French political parties, whether governing or in opposition, have shown a high level of consensus through concrete actions to back Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.
The National Assembly resolution was initiated on June 22 by National Assembly Member François de Rugy, Chairman of the France-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, and within a short time was cosigned by the conveners of seven prominent cross-party political groups as well as 183 National Assembly Members. In addition to recognizing Taiwan’s success in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and advancing economic development, the resolution notes that Taiwan’s exclusion from international organizations undermines the interests of the global community. It also commends Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian for reaffirming the French government’s support for Taiwan’s international participation at both houses of Parliament on multiple occasions, and calls on the government to continue to make efforts in favor of Taiwan’s international participation.
Taiwan and France are like-minded partners, sharing the core values of democracy, freedom, and human rights as well as enjoying close and cordial bilateral relations that are both broad and deep in scope. In recent years, the two countries have cooperated closely in such domains as the economy, trade, environmental protection, disease prevention, technology, energy, and innovation. Both attach importance to security in the Indo-Pacific and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. For years, Taiwan has contributed to global health and safety and promoted participation in the World Health Organization and other world bodies, with related bids garnering the support of France, other democracies, and the international community. Taiwan will continue to fulfill its responsibilities as a member of the international community and work jointly with France and other like-minded countries to make greater contributions to global peace, stability, health, and prosperity. (E)