The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe delegation composed of Alexander Alvaro, Metin Kazak and Alexandra Thein and led by Kristiina Ojuland to Taiwan was received by President Ma Ying-jeou, Speaker Wang Jin-pyng, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Lyushun Shen and other high-level representatives of the Republic of China.

"The European Union is facing impressive economic developments in Taiwan, which has become the driving force for democracy and economic growth in the Far-East region," said Kristiina Ojuland. She explained that the Taiwanese officials expressed a strong interest in the idea of proceeding with a Free Trade Agreement with the EU.

"Nevertheless, negotiations on the FTA can only be successfully concluded, when Taiwan keeps retaining a moratorium on death penalty," stressed Ojuland.

"However, the FTA would serve the interests of the EU trade and investments in Taiwan," she continued. "In long term perspective the One-China policy is not and cannot be in the interest of the EU," she concluded.

The delegation pointed out that further improvements in the area of intellectual property rights and public procurement regulation should be achieved. The ALDE delegation also visited the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party for a meeting with their Liberal colleagues.

Kristiina Ojuland