MOFA urges EU to pursue trade ties after reportMATTER OF SECURITY: The EU adopted a report that addresses the threat from China’s recent military buildup and called for trade relations with TaiwanBy Lin Chia-nan / Staff reporterThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday urged the EU to start preparations for negotiating a bilateral investment agreement with Taiwan, after the bloc expressed its intention to boost cooperation with Taiwan in semiconductors and other areas. The EU on Thursday adopted a Joint Communication on the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, after the European Council on April 19 approved the strategy. In the report, the EU said it intends to increase engagements with Indo-Pacific partners, based on promoting democracy, the rule of law, human rights and universally agreed commitments, such as those related to sustainable development and climate change. EU flags billow outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels on May 5. The EU-Taiwan Political Relations and Cooperation report passed by the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs on Sept. 1 also recommended the bloc start preparations for an investment pact with Taiwan.

Source: Taipei Times September 17, 2021 15:56 UTC