WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a bill today that would advance efforts for Taiwan to obtain observer status at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly. The bill, an identical version of which was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, directs the Secretary of State to develop and implement a plan to obtain ICAO observer status for Taiwan. Senator Menendez commented:
“Taiwan is one of the world’s major air passenger and cargo markets, and it provides air traffic control service to over 1.2 million flights per year. Last year, Taiwan joined the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, and I expect that that travel between Taiwan and the United States will increase rapidly as a result. Allowing the Government of Taiwan observer status at ICAO assemblies will ensure that it has access to the technical information it needs to continue to conform its civil aviation practices with evolving international safety standards. This will help guarantee the safety of travelers and airlines from America and Taiwan alike, as well as others in Asia and around the globe.”
The full text of the bill is attached.
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