Top EU official in Taiwan enthusiastic about EU-Taiwan investment pact

During a 'Euro Day Dinner' organized  by the European Chamber of  Commerce in Taiwan (ECCT) on 15 May, Frederic Laplanche, the head of the European Economic and Trade Office (EETO) in Taipei, said that the European Union is likely to consider  a bilateral investment agreement with  Taiwan "in due course".

According to  Laplanche, the EU and Taiwan already have held more than 25 years  of bilateral consultations to discuss major trade issues and have managed to resolve almost all problems relating to market access.

"In other words, we are preparing the ground so that the bilateral   relation(ship) is ready for further, more ambitious goals," he said,   referring to a free trade agreement as a possible ultimate destination.

ROC President Ma Ying-jeou also attended the event and noted that the EU is Taiwan's partner as well as the largest source of foreign direct investment. “I'm confident that Taiwan-EU economic and trade ties will continue to grow even stronger in the years to come," Ma concluded.

ECCT Chairman Giuseppe Izzo said that the Chamber supports Taiwan’s pursuit of free trade agreements with all partners, but stressed that in order to stand strong in a globalized world, the   government and the private sector need to co-operate in providing decent jobs and hope for the future.

Share this article: