104TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 212

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Endorsing the adoption by the European Parmunity of nations. of China on Taiwan’s efforts at joining the com- liament of a resolution supporting the Republic
104TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 212

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress endorses the adoption by

3 the European Parliament on July 18, 1996, of a resolu4 tion supporting the Republic of China on Taiwan’s efforts

5 at joining the community of nations, which is substantially

6 as follows:
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•HCON 212 EH

1 ‘‘The European Parliament,

2 —having regard to Article J.7 of the Treaty on Euro3 pean Union,

4 ‘‘(A) satisfied with the current state of Tai5 wan’s democracy and Taiwan’s respect for the prin6 ciples of justice, human rights and fundamental free7 dom;

8 ‘‘(B) welcoming the fact that the elections in

9 Taiwan were conducted democratically and peace10 fully despite the overt aggression and provocation by

11 the People’s Republic of China;

12 ‘‘(C) having regard to Taiwan’s wish to partici13 pate in international aid to developing countries;

14 ‘‘(D) having regard to the significance of devel15 opments in the political situation in Taiwan for the

16 whole of East Asia at a geopolitical and economic

17 level and in terms of a policy of stability, security

18 and peace in the Western Pacific region;

19 ‘‘(E) welcoming the attitude of reconciliation

20 displayed by President Lee Tang-hui towards the

21 People’s Republic of China and looking forward to

22 a dialogue spanning both sides of the Taiwan

23 Straits;

24 ‘‘(F) convinced that the people of Taiwan ought

25 to be better represented in international organiza-
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•HCON 212 EH

1 tions than they are at present, which would benefit

2 both Taiwan and the whole of the international com3 munity;

4 ‘‘(G) whereas neither the European Union nor

5 any of its Member States have diplomatic relations

6 with the Government of Taiwan, recognizing only

7 the People’s Republic of China;

8 ‘‘(H) whereas Taiwan is very important to the

9 European Union and its Member States as a trade

10 partner;

11 ‘‘(I) whereas it is important for the European

12 Union and its Member States to develop their rela13 tions with the governments of both the People’s Re14 public of China and Taiwan in an amicable and con15 structive spirit.

16 ‘‘(J) urging the governments of the People’s

17 Republic of China and Taiwan to intensify their co18 operation;

19 ‘‘(K) stressing that participation by Taiwan in

20 certain international organizations can assist with

21 finding common ground between China and Taiwan

22 and facilitate reconciliation between the two sides;

23 ‘‘(L) regretting the fact that Taiwan at present

24 is prevented from making a full contribution to the

25 United Nations and its agencies, and stressing that,
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•HCON 212 EH

1 for the efficiency of the United Nations, Taiwan’s

2 participation would be desirable and valuable;

3 ‘‘1. Urges:

4 ‘‘(a) the Council and Member States to support

5 Taiwan’s attempts to secure better representation

6 than it currently enjoys in international organiza7 tions in the fields of human and labour rights, eco8 nomic affairs, the environment and development

9 cooperation . . .;

10 ‘‘(b) the Council and Member States to ask the

11 United Nations to investigate the possibility of set12 ting up a United Nations working group to study

13 the scope for Taiwan to participate in the activities

14 of bodies answerable to the United Nations General

15 Assembly;

16 ‘‘(c) the Council and Member States to encour17 age the governments of the People’s Republic of

18 China and Taiwan to intensify their cooperation in

19 a constructive and peaceful spirit;

20 ‘‘(d) the Council to urge the Commission to

21 adopt measures with a view to opening a European

22 Union information office in Taipei;
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1 ‘‘2. Instructs its President to forward this resolution

2 to the Council and to the Commission.’’.

Passed the House of Representatives September 24,

1996.

Attest:

Clerk.