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MOFA welcomes EU's support on cross-strait agreements

ROC Central News Agency

Taipei, Nov. 5 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Wednesday it welcomes the European Union’s support for the agreements signed between Taiwan and China during a top Chinese negotiator's visit.

The agreements represent“a significant positive step towards finding pragmatic solutions that benefit people on both sides of the (Taiwan) Straits,”the ministry quoted the EU saying.

“The Foreign Ministry appreciates the statements of the EU that it welcomes the agreements signed between Taiwan and China, ”the ministry said in a press release.

The ministry added that it hopes the EU will continue its support of measures taken by Taiwan to promote cross-Taiwan Strait dialogue, strengthen pragmatic cooperation and enhance economic and civil interactions with China.

Javier Solana, the EU's High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, said in the statement on Nov. 4 that the EU has always taken the firm view that the Taiwan question must be solved peacefully through constructive dialogue between all concerned parties.

“I therefore commend the determination of both sides to take up these opportunities that contribute to reinforcing stability and security in East Asia,”Solana said, adding that the EU will continue to adhere to its one-China policy and will provide firm support to future initiatives that advance meaningful dialogue across the Taiwan Strait.

The United States also welcomed the agreements, according to Thomas Hodges, spokesman of the Taipei-based American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).

“By facilitating enhanced cross-strait contacts, the agreements help to further regional peace, stability and prosperity, ”Hodges said, in response to reporters' questions.

The AIT serves as the de facto U.S. embassy in Taiwan in the absence of official diplomatic relations between Taipei and Washington.

In their latest meeting in Taipei Tuesday, Taipei-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Chiang Pin-kung and Beijing-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) President Chen Yunlin signed four agreements which will expand air links, launch direct cross-strait shipping and postal services and establish a reporting mechanism for food safety issues.

Chen, who is visiting Taiwan from Nov. 3-7, is the highest ranking official from the People’s Republic of China to visit Taiwan since 1949.

The agreements marked yet another achievement between the two sides since dialogue was resumed five months ago. During their first meeting in Beijing in June, Chiang and Chen signed two accords on the launching of nonstop cross-strait charter flights on weekends and the admission of a larger number of Chinese tourists to Taiwan. (By Rachel Chan) Enditem/cs