The Czech Republic does not support Taiwan in its bid for
membership of the World Health Organization (WHO), Czech's deputy
Health Minister Michael Vit said in an interview before the 60th
World Health Assembly, which is slated to open on Monday.
Vit said that the WHO is a specialized organization under the
United Nations, of which only sovereign states can be members.
"As a part of China, Taiwan is not eligible to join the WHO as a
member." he added.
The 60th World Health Assembly will run from May 14 to 23 in
Geneva, Switzerland. Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian sent a letter to
WHO Director General Margaret Chan requesting WHO membership for
Taiwan in April.
During the interview with Xinhua, Vit stressed that the Czech
government always sticks to the one-China policy, and will not back
the attempt of Taiwan authorities to seek membership of the
WHO.
WHO spokesman Iain Simpson also reiterated on Friday that the
WHO is a specialized organization within the United Nations, and
the organization will stick to the one-China policy on the issue of
Taiwan in accordance with the WHO's resolutions.
Taiwan has sought observer status in the WHO over the past 10
years, but has never succeeded in gaining it.
Vit appreciated China's effort to push forward cross-strait
health and medical exchanges and cooperation.
In 2005, the Chinese Health Ministry and the WHO Secretariat
signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the participation of
Taiwan health and medical experts in WHO's technical
activities.
Under the MOU, the WHO can invite health experts from Taiwan to
participate in its technical activities, and send staff and experts
to Taiwan to investigate health issues and provide technical health
assistance.
Since the MOU was signed, 12 groups of experts from Taiwan have
participated in WHO's health activities.
"We agree with the idea that Taiwan communicates and cooperates
with the World Health Organization on a technical level." Vit
said.
(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2007)
