Inter-party talks yield 34 pieces of priority legislation

Political party representatives yesterday reached an agreement to push for 34 pieces of priority legislation in the Legislative Yuan that are considered crucial to the nation's economic development.

The 34 items include 20 that are related to the implementation of the consensus reached by last month's Economic Development Advisory Conference and 14 others are aimed at preparing for Taiwan's anticipated admission to the WTO at the end of the year.

The agreement was reached in a working meeting, which was part of inter-party negotiations initiated by the KMT.

Hong Yuh-chin (洪玉欽), executive director of the KMT's Policy Committee and the party's representative at the meeting, said the legislation identified yesterday would be forwarded to each party and their respective lawmakers.

Another working meeting will be held tomorrow to discuss the Executive Yuan's plans and a timetable for the implementation of the advisory conference's consensus.

A summit of political leaders will be held on Saturday to close the event.

The leaders are to reconfirm the agreements reached in the working meetings and issue a joint statement.

KMT Secretary-general Lin Fong-cheng (林豐正), who chaired yesterday's meeting, said the inter-party talks, which are intended to resolve Taiwan's economic problems, are a timely response to the nation's financial troubles.

Lin said the summit will help create an amicable atmosphere in advance of the various bills' introduction to the full sitting legislature.

"The KMT is sincere about helping the nation go through this difficult time," Lin said.

All political parties and groups with deputies in the legislature have participated in the negotiations -- the KMT, DPP, People's First Party, New Party, the National Non-party League and the People's Union.