Taiwan Quick Take: Ministerial meeting opens

The 2006 Environment Ministerial Meeting opened yesterday, with environment ministers from seven Central American countries and Environmental Protection Administration officials discussing various opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The two-day forum will end today with a declaration signed by Taiwan and the seven nations. Vice Premier Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said at the opening ceremony that even though Taiwan is not a signatory to the Kyoto Treaty because of politics, it will join the international community in reducing greenhouse gases. "Balancing the environment, the economy and society is the key to a nation's sustainable development," she said.