Russia's disapproval of a clause regarding the mutual exemption of income tax has hindered the signing of an aviation agreement between Taiwan and Russia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien (
If the tax exemption issue can be resolved, Chien said, a Taiwan-Russian aviation agreement would soon be realized.
As to reports that chartered flights between Taiwan and Russia would start Aug. 30, Chien said that the ministry is awaiting a formal reply from Moscow.
Taiwan's largest carrier -- China Airlines (CAL) -- has filed an application with Russian aviation authorities for a chartered flight from Taipei to Moscow in August and another in September.
Chien said chartered flights do not require the signing of an aviation accord and can fly simply with the consent of both sides.
According to Chien, Taiwan and Russia are close to forging an aviation agreement. "Most of the differences have been ironed out," he said, adding that the only sticking point now lies in the mutual exemption of income tax.
The minister said the ministry basically holds an optimistic view on prospects for signing an aviation pact with Russia in the not-too-distant future. This, he added, would open the way for direct flights, facilitate tourism both to and from Russia, and enhance commercial and cultural exchanges.
Taiwan and Russia signed a draft aviation accord in 1993 but it was never formalized due to tax issues and pressure from Beijing, which opposes any country signing official agreements with Taiwan.
A Central News Agency report from Moscow said Taiwan's representative to Russia Charles King (金樹基) has confirmed that a CAL chartered plane will make a maiden direct flight from Taipei to Moscow Aug. 30 and that Russia's Transaero Co will make a similar chartered flight from Moscow to Taipei Sept. 9. Moreover, King said, CAL will operate another chartered flight to Moscow in mid-September.
The three chartered flights are part of efforts on the part of carriers in Taiwan and Russia to promote an early opening of direct air links between the two countries, aviation sources said.
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