From correspondents in Geneva, Switzerland, 04:31 PM IST

The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed Friday that Taiwan has been invited to attend the World Health Assembly later this month in Geneva, symbolically marking a step in Taipei's fight to end its international isolation.

WHO spokesman Thomas Abrahams said the move to invite Taiwan as an observer followed a consensus reached between Taiwan and China on the assembly and attendance.

Taiwan lost its WHO seat in 1972, one year after it was expelled from the UN.

Since then, China has barred Taiwan from rejoining UN-affiliated organisations, claiming Taiwan is China's breakaway province.

Besides the WHO, Taiwan is also seeking to rejoin the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other organisations, with the main goal of rejoining the UN.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)