Taipei-based European diplomats said yesterday that the long-waited European Commission representative office is scheduled to open in Taipei early next year -- a move expected to boost ties between the EU and its third largest trading partner in Asia.
"It has been decided that the European Commission will open an office here in Taiwan. As for the time schedule, it will take place either at the end of January or in the beginning of February," said Ulrich Dreesen, director general of the German Institute.
Another Taipei-based European diplomat, who declined to be named, said he has learned that the EU executive body is to open the office after the Lunar New Year, which begins Feb. 1.
The envoy said the number of the personnel in the office "won't exceed 10" and that a 100-ping space on Minsheng E. Rd has been selected for the office.
A commission official has been tipped as the first representative to Taiwan, although the EU has yet to make the formal announcement, sources revealed.
As early as July of last year, the European Commission proposed opening a trade representative office, in view of Taiwan's approaching accession to the WTO.
In a report on the issue, the commission said,"With Taiwan soon joining the WTO, the commission is expected to play a major role in monitoring market accession, the application of WTO commitments and other matters related to its policy."
Taiwan's entry into the WTO in January gave a boost to the EU's efforts to set up a Taipei trade office, officials have said.
Taiwan had hoped that the opening of an EU office here would lead to Taipei formally setting up a representative office to the EU. But Taiwan has "de-linked" the twins issues for fear of unneccesarily complicating matters, a foreign ministry official said.
Since President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) inauguration, having an EU representative office in Taipei on a reciprocal basis has been a high priority for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Taiwan's representative office to Belgium now acts as the key communication channel with the EU.
On Nov. 6, EU External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten said the EU position is "one China" while highlighting what he termed as "strong EU commercial links with Taiwan."
Beijing's sensitivity over any international recognition for Taipei has put a strain on EU-Taiwan relations in political terms, making them informal and relatively underdeveloped.
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