TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Spanish Fourth Vice President of the Congress of Deputies Marta Gonzalez Vazquez called upon the World Health Organization (WHO) to admit Taiwan as a member.

In her letter on Tuesday (May 7) addressed to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Gonzalez said the WHO Constitution, established in 1948, says the health of “all peoples” is a fundamental condition for achieving peace and security, per CNA.

According to a press release by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Spain on Thursday (May 9), Gonzalez said that Taiwan has received support from the U.S., EU, and G7 countries in its bid to join, but no action has been taken. Taiwan has made great contributions to public health and should be involved, she added.

“Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the WHO can contribute to global public health and achieve the goal of ‘health for all,’” she said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has proven that viruses know no borders, and the world must work together to overcome collective health challenges.”

Gonzalez stressed that Taiwan’s participation in the WHO is a practical and non-political issue. She urged the WHO to maintain a professionally neutral position, resist inappropriate political interference, and invite Taiwan to participate as a WHO member.

Additionally, in an interview with Slovakian newspaper Pravda on Friday (May 10), Taiwan representative to Slovakia Li Nan-yang (李南陽) said Taiwan has always participated in the health affairs of the international community. Li called on the WHO to maintain an open attitude and invite Taiwan to participate in meetings and mechanisms.