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Taipei, Aug. 20 (CNA):- Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis Timothy Harris said Thursday that his country will continue to make the case for Taiwan’s participation in agencies of the United Nations when the the U.N. General Assembly convenes next month.

Describing his country as “perhaps Taiwan’s most consistent and reliable friend in the Caribbean region,” Harris said St. Kitts and Nevis has provided strong advocacy for Taiwan in all agencies of the U.N. and will continue to do so.

“We believe that Taiwan is very, very important to the international community and has a wide range of experiences to be shared to the benefit of the entire world,” he said in an interview with CNA.

The story of Taiwan’s development over the past decades can serve as an inspiration to other developing countries, he added.

He also stressed the importance of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization, as well as the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change.

It is important for Taiwan and also the rest of the world, he said. For example, many healthcare issues are of international concern, he added.

St. Kitts and Nevis established diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1983. It is one of Taiwan’s 22 diplomatic allies, half of which are in Central America and the Caribbean.

Meanwhile, a Taiwanese foreign affairs official said earlier in the day that several of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies will advocate for Taiwan’s international participation, during this year’s session of the U.N. General Assembly.

These allies will highlight Taiwan’s willingness and ability to participate in international organizations, said Michael Hsu (徐佩勇), director-general of the Department of International Organizations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(By Elaine Hou)

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