The US government on Tuesday welcomed the signing of four cross-strait agreements meant to strengthen transportation and postal links and address food safety issues.
Washington welcomed the development, the US State Department said.
A State Department official said that increasing contact between both sides of the Strait is conducive to regional stability and prosperity.
The official reiterated that the US has long urged Taiwan and China to engage in constructive dialogue to solve their differences and defuse tensions.
The US policy on Taiwan has remained unchanged and the US was pleased to see Taiwan and China continue to increase their exchanges, the official said.
Larry Walker, press officer at the American Institute in Taiwan, said yesterday “the US welcomes the four agreements on air and sea transports, postal services and food safety signed in Taipei. By facilitating enhanced cross-strait contacts, the agreements help to further regional peace, stability, and prosperity.”
The EU also voiced its support for the agreements on Tuesday, saying they represent “a significant positive step towards finding pragmatic solutions that benefit people on both sides of the [Taiwan] Straits [sic].”
EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana said in a statement that the EU had always taken the firm view that the Taiwan question must be resolved peacefully through constructive dialogue between all concerned parties.
“I therefore commend the determination of both sides to take up these opportunities that contribute to reinforcing stability and security in East Asia,” Solana said.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JENNY W. HSU
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