Politics

EU envoy praises strong ties with Taiwan

Frederic Laplanche, head of the Taipei European Economic and Trade Office, outlines his expectations for Taiwan-EU ties over the coming year June 25 in Taipei City. (CNA)

• Publication Date：06/26/2012
• Source： Taiwan Today
• By  Rachel Chan

Taiwan-EU relations went from strength to strength in 2011, laying the foundation for expanded economic and cultural exchanges over the coming year, according to Frederic Laplanche, head of the Taipei European Economic and Trade Office, June 25.

“Taiwanese and Europeans did a good job in 2011, with very high figures for trade in goods and services, as well as a continued strong European presence in Taiwan,” Laplanche said.

Last year, EU firms channeled US$30.24 billion into various local projects, making the region Taiwan’s top source of foreign investment followed by Japan and the U.S.

Laplanche, who oversees EU interests in Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic relations, made the remarks in a statement coinciding with the release of the latest EU Taiwan Factfile, an annual report examining bilateral cultural, investment and trade ties.

According to the report, two-way trade reached a 10-year high last year of 40.1 billion euros (US$50.2 billion), a 3.1 percent increase from 2010.

Although Taiwan slipped five places to become the EU’s 19th largest trading partner in 2011, the report said, it remains on par with Australia and Mexico. The island is also the EU’s 14th biggest source of imports and 22nd largest export market.

Robust Taiwan-EU relations are also illustrated by frequent people-to-people exchanges resulting from the implementation of the Schengen visa-free regime for ROC nationals last year, the report said.

The number of ROC citizens visiting the EU in 2011 was 239,062, up 39 percent from the year before, while Taiwan welcomed 259,358, or 31 percent, more EU passport holders over the same period.

Strong progress was also seen in bilateral scientific and research cooperation, the report said, adding that the EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development has supported 23 joint research projects ranging from green technology to earthquake monitoring.

“But this is no time to rest on our laurels,” Laplanche said. “To beat the economic crisis in 2012, our economic operators must be forward-looking and seize all opportunities.” (JSM)

Write to Rachel Chan at ccchan@mofa.gov.tw