Oct 09, 2013

Taiwan: Trade Relations Between The EU And China Include Taiwan


The European Parliament voted during the Strasbourg plenary session for balanced trade relations between the EU, China and Taiwan. Taiwan is requesting a bilateral Treaty with the EU.

Below is a press release published by ALDE.

The European Parliament voted during the Strasbourg plenary session today [9 October 2013] for balanced trade relations between the EU, China and Taiwan. When the European Commission rightly claims a negotiating mandate for an investment treaty with China, MEPs, and particularly ALDE sought equal treatment for Taiwan which is also requesting a bilateral Treaty with the EU.

Metin Kazak (Movement for Rights and Freedoms, Bulgaria), ALDE coordinator in the Parliamentary Committee on International Trade, urged the Commission to "not underestimate the commercial potential of Taiwan, which can be a great driver of growth for European industry. EU countries cannot consider this as a secondary region of China  as the People's Republic of China and Taiwan have pacified relations that have already resulted in a commercial treaty.  While the EU is negotiating an investment treaty with Beijing, it must send a strong signal to the Democratic China of Taipei. "

Graham Watson (LibDem, United Kingdom), member of the European Parliament Taïwan Friendship Group, added: "Using the combined clout of the EU, we can make it easier for European firms to crack the Chinese market by opening up protected sectors and increasing legal certainty. We should not forget about the 'other China', the economic powerhouse island of Taiwan. They too are seeking an EU investment deal – and the two negotiations should happen in parallel."

In his speech to the plenary on the investment treaty EU / China, Niccolo Rinaldi ( IdV, Italy)said: "It is a firm mandate that we give to the Commission. The Treaty is expected to enhance legal certainty for our mutual investments, whilst respecting the environment, social rights, intellectual property as well as protecting European SMEs by guaranteeing them non-discriminatory access".

Marielle DE SARNEZ (Modem , France ) , ALDE spokesperson for EU / China trade relations, added:  "China is a state economy in which many important players of international stature are public companies, notwithstanding the existence of powerful sovereign wealth funds. It is therefore essential that the negotiations result in an agreement which obliges Chinese public companies investing in Europe to comply with the rules of good governance and transparency set by the OECD".