Tsai calls for Taiwan-EU investment agreement

2019/10/31

President Tsai Ing-wen said Oct. 29 that Taiwan is committed to concluding an investment agreement with the EU as part of efforts to keep bilateral economic relations on the fast track.
 
 Taiwan-EU ties are going from strength to strength as illustrated by record two-way trade and investment numbers, Tsai said. This healthy state of affairs is further reflected by rising support for Taiwan by EU member states, she added.
 
 Case in point, Tsai said, is the recent establishment of the Formosa Club in Brussels by the chairs of Taiwan parliamentary friendship groups in Germany, France and the U.K.
 
 Tsai made the remarks during a meeting with Michael Gahler, chair of the European Parliament-Taiwan Friendship Group. The German lawmaker is leading a nine-member EPTFG delegation on a six-day political and trade fact-finding visit.
 
 According to Tsai, many European firms have invested in Taiwan’s offshore wind industry as its development aligns with the EU strategy for enhancing connectivity with Asia. The two sides can springboard off this effective cooperation in tapping the potential-laden renewable energy market in Southeast Asia via the New Southbound Policy, she said.
 
 A key component of the government’s national development strategy, the NSP seeks to enhance Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.
 
 Gahler, who presented Tsai with a commemorative plaque on behalf of the founding members of the Formosa Club, said the institution will play an invaluable role in raising awareness of Taiwan and related issues throughout Europe.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)