In this year, the European Union (EU) completed maybe its greatest challenge since the signing of the Treaty of Rome in 1957. On May the 1st, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, Malta, Cyprus and the three Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined the European family.
Germany in the expanded European Union is no longer at the edge of Europe. Suddenly it is between the old and new member states. The European Union of 450 million people is the biggest economy on earth, and one-fifth of its population is German. Germany is the most important economy with the biggest market in the EU. Today Germany is the geographic and economic centre of Europe. Germany acts as a magnet, because for many of its neighbours (no country in Europe shares more borders than Germany) it is the most important trading partner made more attractive because of its purchasing power. This is especially true for the new emerging markets in Eastern Europe.
Also because of German Re-Unification and the expansion of the EU, it has undertaken a comprehensive reform of its extensive welfare state. With Agenda 2010 Chancellor Schroeder proposes a reform initiative that will reduce the burden on the state and increase the competitiveness of German businesses. Moreover, the employment market is being deregulated to increase the jobs market.
At the same time Germany is focusing on its core competencies as never before. One of these competencies is the transportation routes including public mains supply and data circuits. Germany's new central position makes it one of the most important distribution locations in Europe.
The German workforce is well known worldwide for its efficiency, high degree of reliability and motivation. Dual vocational training and skilled tradesman make German workers among the best educated in the world. Investors from abroad appreciate German craftsmanship, although the wage costs may be higher than elsewhere.
A synonym for all these attributes is the "Made in Germany" trademark which, to people all around the world, means quality, reliability, longevity, innovation, efficient production processes and excellent engineering. These traits apply to the big companies as well as small and medium enterprises. Germany, with it's unique economy made up of 80% specialized small and medium-sized businesses, offers an ideal environment for finding excellent investment partners. To make the most of the expansion of the EU and the challenges and opportunities this presents, German businesses are also strenghtening and enhancing their relationships with businesses in other parts of the world, including Asia-Pacific. It is not surprising that many German companies that are strong in Eastern Europe also seek business partners in the Far East. Take Taiwan as an example. Germany was the most important trading partner in the EU for Taiwan and the bilateral trade rose more than 11 % from 2002 to 2003. In an enlarged European Union the economies of Germany and Taiwan are in many ways complementary, and should be developed for future mutual benefit.
To foster German bi-lateral business ties with Taiwan, the German Trade Office Taipei offers companies from both sides comprehensive products and services to ensure success in a changing and competitive environment. Taiwan and German companies face similar challenges to advanced economies with big emerging markets and new competition.
NO HUMAN ERROR: After the incident, the Coast Guard Administration said it would obtain uncrewed aerial vehicles and vessels to boost its detection capacity Authorities would improve border control to prevent unlawful entry into Taiwan’s waters and safeguard national security, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday after a Chinese man reached the nation’s coast on an inflatable boat, saying he “defected to freedom.” The man was found on a rubber boat when he was about to set foot on Taiwan at the estuary of Houkeng River (後坑溪) near Taiping Borough (太平) in New Taipei City’s Linkou District (林口), authorities said. The Coast Guard Administration’s (CGA) northern branch said it received a report at 6:30am yesterday morning from the New Taipei City Fire Department about a
IN BEIJING’S FAVOR: A China Coast Guard spokesperson said that the Chinese maritime police would continue to carry out law enforcement activities in waters it claims The Philippines withdrew its coast guard vessel from a South China Sea shoal that has recently been at the center of tensions with Beijing. BRP Teresa Magbanua “was compelled to return to port” from Sabina Shoal (Xianbin Shoal, 仙濱暗沙) due to bad weather, depleted supplies and the need to evacuate personnel requiring medical care, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Jay Tarriela said yesterday in a post on X. The Philippine vessel “will be in tiptop shape to resume her mission” after it has been resupplied and repaired, Philippine Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who heads the nation’s maritime council, said
REGIONAL STABILITY: Taipei thanked the Biden administration for authorizing its 16th sale of military goods and services to uphold Taiwan’s defense and safety The US Department of State has approved the sale of US$228 million of military goods and services to Taiwan, the US Department of Defense said on Monday. The state department “made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale” to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US for “return, repair and reshipment of spare parts and related equipment,” the defense department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a news release. Taiwan had requested the purchase of items and services which include the “return, repair and reshipment of classified and unclassified spare parts for aircraft and related equipment; US Government
More than 500 people on Saturday marched in New York in support of Taiwan’s entry to the UN, significantly more people than previous years. The march, coinciding with the ongoing 79th session of the UN General Assembly, comes close on the heels of growing international discourse regarding the meaning of UN Resolution 2758. Resolution 2758, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1971, recognizes the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the “only lawful representative of China.” It resulted in the Republic of China (ROC) losing its seat at the UN to the PRC. Taiwan has since been excluded from