President Ma Ying-joeu says three European experiences have given him insight into how to develop cross-strait relations and solve territorial disputes. He was speaking Tuesday with EU parliamentarians in a videoconference.
These three experiences include exchange students between Germany and France, the relationship between the two Germanys, and how European countries set aside differences regarding the North Sea. Ma said his East China Sea Peace Initiative was inspired by Europe’s example in the North Sea. He also said he has worked to promote cross-strait student exchanges, which has increased greatly since his time in office.
EU is Taiwan’s 5th biggest trade partner. Bilateral trade was US$50.9 billion in 2014. That’s up 3.7% from the year before. President Ma said now is the best time for Taiwan and the EU to sign a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA).
Taiwan has signed 79 official agreements and memorandums of understanding with the EU and European countries over the past seven years. They cover science and technology, education, tariffs, judicial assistance, telecommunications, working holidays, food safety and research and development.
The conference was to strengthen ties between Taiwan and the European Union and help inspire peace in the Asia Pacific region.
Ma said exchanges between Taiwan and EU member countries have increased since the EU granted Taiwanese passport holders visa free entry in January 2011.