President Tsai eyes closer Taiwan-EU trade ties

2018/12/21

President Tsai Ing-wen said Dec. 19 that the government is committed to further expanding mutually beneficial economic and trade ties between Taiwan and the EU.
 
 Relations have been going from strength to strength in recent years, with bilateral trade volume hitting a record high of 50.2 billion euros (US$57.14 billion) in 2017, Tsai said. People-to-people exchanges have similarly registered impressive growth, as evidenced by the more than 90 percent surge in visits by local travelers to EU countries last year, she added.
 
 Tsai made the remarks while receiving a delegation from the European Parliament at the Office of the President in Taipei City. Including Members of the EP Agustin Diaz De Mera, Santiago Fisas Ayxela, Jose Inacio Faria and Francesc Gambus, the group is visiting the country Dec. 17-20 on an environmental protection, foreign affairs, human rights and trade fact-finding mission.
 
 According to the president, the Administrative Arrangement on Cluster Cooperation concluded by Taiwan and the EU in June is yet another testament to the robust partnership between the two sides. This pact is expected to promote bilateral investment and provide fresh momentum for small and medium enterprises and innovative startups, she said.
 
 Tsai also took this opportunity to convey gratitude to the EP on behalf of the government and people for its continued friendship and support, citing a resolution passed during a plenary session Dec. 12 backing Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations, mechanisms and activities.
 
 As a responsible stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan will continue to expand cooperation with like-minded partners and deepen its substantive contributions in addressing major global issues such as climate change and sustainable development, she said.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=2&post=147458)