British Trade and Cultural Office (BTCO) Director David Campbell yesterday said more discussions between members of the EU may be necessary before trade enhancement measures (TEM) can be signed with Taiwan.
During a Q&A session after a briefing with local media, Campbell said he did not expect any early decision by the EU to pursue TEM with Taiwan.
He said it was possible the EU would want to reflect on “the likely impact on European companies of the ECFA [Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement]” first.
Campbell hosted the briefing in Taipei to update local media on the policy of the new UK coalition government.
Referring to reports on the potential benefits of TEM between Taiwan and the EU, Campbell said “the UK is looking closely at all of that.”
Whether or not Taiwan will be able to sign free-trade agreements with other nations after inking the ECFA with China at the end of June has been the subject of much heated debate in political and economic circles.
When asked to comment on the ECFA, Campbell said the Spokesperson of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton issued a statement after the signing welcoming developments across the Taiwan Strait.
“She concludes by saying that the EU believes expansion of cross-strait economic relations has potential to also benefit development of the EU, the UK fully subscribes to that,” Campbell said.
Campbell said the new UK coalition government’s policy toward Taiwan remained unchanged.
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