Taiwanese authorities have clarified to the EU the reasons behind the decision to cease the functioning of the National Unification Council, a spokeswoman for the EU's High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, confirmed on Friday.
And "the EU has already discussed the issue with its international partners," Christina Gallach said.
President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) announced on Feb. 27 that the unification council and its guidelines, which are symbolic of a move toward Taiwan's unification with China, would cease to function, because no one could decide on certain choices or "an ultimate goal" for the people of Taiwan.
concern
Austria, the current holder of the EU's rotating presidency, issued a statement on March 1 expressing the EU's concern over Chen's announcement abolishing the state body charged with working toward the eventual unification of Taiwan with China.
The statement said: "This decision is not helpful to maintaining stability and peaceful development in the Taiwan Strait."
However, the statement said the EU was reassured by Taiwan's reiteration of its previous commitments and intention not to change the "status quo," and the organization encouraged both sides to develop initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue, practical methods of cooperation and confidence-building.
The statement concluded: "The EU is firmly convinced that the Taiwan question should be solved through cross-straits [sic] negotiations between all stakeholders concerned."
reconciliation
Gallach reiterated that the EU welcomed Taiwan's clarification of its intention not to change the "status quo," The two sides should dedicate themselves toward improving mutual relations, and the EU was looking forward to both Taipei and China taking steps towards cross-strait cooperation and reconciliation, she said.
She also reiterated that the EU continues to uphold its "one China" policy.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided not to send a delegation to Japan in order to clarify the issue because Japanese top officials already clearly understand Taiwan's stance on the issue, said Lo Fu-Chen (羅福全), chairman of the Association of East Asian Relations, yesterday.
no reaction
"There was no fierce reaction from Japan, so we don't have to go to Japan now," Lo said, adding that originally he was to lead a delegation to Japan.
"Japan has stayed very calm on the issue. [The National Unification Council's ceasing to function] will not cause any new conflict. Japanese officials understand Taiwan's stance, and therefore there is no tension," he said.
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