Taiwan’s inclusion in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a public safety issue and the US will take all possible measures to push for results, US House Representative Ed Royce said on Tuesday.
Royce, a Republican congressman who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Taiwan needs to be able to take part in the ICAO to gain access to the organization’s safety rules.
This is important because Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is a major transit hub and the country has been admitted to the US visa waiver program, Royce said.
There is no reason to exclude Taiwan from international organizations like the ICAO, since inclusion will help enhance the safety of every passenger, he said.
The US Congress has passed a bill that requires the Secretary of State to facilitate Taiwan’s participation in the ICAO and now is the time to discuss how to work toward that goal, Royce added.
The congressman said he plans to discuss the issue with US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel and the US’ allies.
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