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EU says talks are needed for Taiwan to join GPA

The European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan announced yesterday that more talks are needed to bring Taiwan into the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) of the WTO, in part over a compromise that is still possible on the EU's wording concerning Taiwan's status.

At a news conference held to promote the Taiwanese public's understanding of the EU, Guy Ledoux, who assumed his post as the head of the EU office in Taiwan two weeks ago, said: "At the moment we probably haven't found an appropriate formulation but I believe we will be able to with further discussions."

The GPA, a multilateral agreement currently signed by 28 WTO member countries, allows businesses from its signatories to compete across the board for government purchases of goods and services on a non-discriminatory basis.

In 2002, negotiations leading to Taiwan's entry were successfully concluded, but Taiwan has yet to join due to objections from China -- which is not a GPA signatory -- concerning some of the wording that refers to Taiwan's governmental institutions.

In order to bring in Taiwan, the GPA Commission last June adopted a proposal initiated by the US and the EU and reached a decision stating that the names or terms used in protocols, documents and appendices regarding the participation of a "customs territory" in the GPA bear no implications for sovereignty.

Taiwan joined the WTO in 2002 under the name: "Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu."

Last year's decision was not accepted by Taiwanese authorities.

Asked whether compromise on the EU's part over the wording in GPA materials is possible, Ledoux seemed optimistic.

"It's my understanding and my wish," he said

In the run-up to the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, signed on March 25, 1957, the EU office in Taipei held an event to promote both European values and relations between Taiwan and the EU.

The EU office also released three new publications. A booklet introducing the EU was released along with a cartoon version of the same book for young students, as well as a book entitled Reporting on the European Union: A Guide for Journalists.
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