Taipei Times: Since Chen Shui-bian (
David Lee: (
However, since I became the vice foreign minister three years ago, I have been supervising operations in Europe and also had several opportunities to travel to the region. I find that the growing importance of the EU has become a reality, and Taiwan has to cope with this reality.
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
But to be honest, in the past we have not put as many resources [as we should] in that part of the world. Now I think the government has some reorientation of its foreign policy goal.
TT: As the government has tried to reorient foreign policy goals to look to Europe, does this imply it will shift some of its financial resources, say in North America, to Europe?
Lee: As a matter of fact, when we are talking about strengthening ties between Taiwan and the EU, it does not necessarily mean that we have to reallocate financial resources.
Another way of strengthening the relationship is to try to beef up the representation of our personnel. I always consider human resources to be more important than anything else in diplomacy.
We have changed several representatives in European countries and you can find a trend, that the average age of these new representatives of various countries is younger than it used to be. In the future we'll try to increase the number of the personnel in some of the offices in Europe.
TT: Taiwan in recent years has dubbed the establishment of its representative office to the EU as one of its foreign policy goals, and Chen has emphasized that as well. As of now, what are the major obstacles to reaching this goal?
Lee: The establishment of our office in the EU should be conducted simultaneously with the establishment of the EU office here in Taipei. As I understand, the EU still has some budgetary problems for setting up more offices abroad.
However, the European Parliament has passed several resolutions to express its support for the EU to establish an office in Taipei. After Taiwan's accession to the WTO, I think it will be a better opportunity for this issue.
TT: So to what extent do you think that the European Parliament's support for Taiwan in this aspect can be transferred into greater political influence in the EU itself?
Lee: That's why I said we should make sure that the EU has the same interest as Taiwan has on this issue so that we can make things happen. That's the reason I said that we probably have to wait until Taiwan's accession to the WTO. In this game we all have to be patient, and I think that both the Europeans and Taiwanese are indeed patient people. We don't want to rush into something that will make some people feel uncomfortable.
TT: To break its isolation in the international arena, Taiwan in the past has utilized "multiple channels" of influence to expand its external relations. In the case of Taiwan's effort to set up its representative office in the EU, to what extent do you think the private sector can play a role here?
Lee: I've always considered it very important to solicit support from the private sector. It is important to enhance the relationship [between Taiwan and the EU] in substantive terms, meaning economic and trade ties.
During the past few days I have already called up many of my friends in the business community, inviting them to visit me in Brussels. I hope that during their visits, I will be able to hook them up with their counterparts in the region. I always consider that through this kind of substantive trade and investment ties, we will really make things so much easier.
As we have seen in recent months, the Euro has become stronger and stronger, and many economists have also predicted the further strengthening of the European economy in the next few years in comparison with the US market. I have already found that many of my friends in the business community have a growing interest in the European market.
So I think the timing is good for me to go to Europe to try to serve as the bridge between the business community in Taiwan and Europe.
If in the future, if we see further rapprochement between Taiwan and China, then there is a good opportunity for European business to use Taiwan as a kind of hub, or see Taiwan as their strategic alliance in the Asia Pacific region. After all, Taiwan is centrally located in this part of the world, and Taiwan has abundant human resources.
TT: Jeffrey Koo told the "Taipei Times" last month that the newly established Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association (CIECA) would serve as the government's "white glove" in helping with the establishment of Taiwan's representative office to the EU. Has the foreign ministry established any strategic alliance with the association to push for the issue?
Lee: Not quite. But we have worked with the Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce (CNAIC) for numerous years. Recently part of the CNAIC and the Euro-Asia Trade Organization have integrated to become the CIECA. I think we and Jeffrey's organization will try to achieve the same goal. We will work together in the future.
Also, the European Council of Commerce and Trade (ECCT), which is a group representing many European businesses in Taiwan, has been quite influential. I talked to that group before and they'll invite me to talk to the group before I leave for my new job. I hope the ECCT will play an increasingly important role in the future.
TT: As you know, the China factor has always played a crucial role in blocking Taiwan's external relations.
Lee: And it will remain a crucial factor in the relationship between the EU and Taiwan. However, as I said, we have to find common ground in our relationship.
TT: But the EU foreign ministers approved the Commission's Strategy for Partnership with China in June 1998, which provided for closer engagement and co-operation than ever before between China and the EU. The European Community (EC) recognized Beijing in 1975, and the Commission opened a delegation in Beijing in 1988.
Lee: Well, we are very much behind. I did have some opportunities to talk with the EU officials in the past, and certainly there is some sensitivity there. Certainly I will be cautious. But I think we will still be able to find some common ground which is mutually beneficial, and that's what I am going to do when I get there. It's not an easy task. But, I am relatively young and have self-confidence that I will be able to do a good job.
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