The European Federation of Taiwanese Associations on Sunday expressed its support for Taiwan's bid to join the UN under the name "Taiwan"
In a statement at the conclusion of a three-day meeting of the federation held in Fiuggi, near Rome, the Taiwanese expatriates said that they supported the Democratic Progressive Party administration's efforts to seek UN entry.
They said that the nation's future should be determined by Taiwanese as a whole and not by any party or individual.
The statement also called for the administration to strengthen national security so that Taiwan can become not only a "silicon island" but also an "island of cultures and humanities."
It called on the government to champion "transitional justice" and declassify documents from the White Terror era between 1947 and 1960 to let the public know the truth about those "devastating years."
On the diplomatic front, the statement urged the government to help private groups in Taiwan cooperate with international NGOs to enable Taiwan to gain a higher degree of recognition in the international community.
"For the administration to use the excuse of `China's suppression' for its failure ... would be unacceptable," the statement said.
More than 150 Taiwanese expatriates from around Europe attended the meeting, which was held from Friday to Sunday with the theme "Healthy Taiwan, Normal Country."
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