Taipei, May 5 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian urged European representatives to Taiwan Monday to support the country's bid to enter the World Health Organization (WHO).
The president made the remarks when he attended the inauguration party of European Week, a series of activities held May 5-10 that are sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Chen said that after the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in mainland China and Hong Kong, the potentially deadly disease has spread to more than 30 countries, showing that there are no borders where diseases are concerned, either in their spread or in the measures taken to combat them.
With stringent quarantine measures and treatment, Chen said, Taiwan has achieved effective results, but he added that regrettably, Taiwan still cannot be admitted into the WHO, forming a loophole in the world network against SARS and putting a damper on the island's desire to play a constructive role in the world medical system.
He expressed the hope that all other nations can realize Taiwan's importance and that the European representatives stationed in Taiwan can promote the nation's entry into the WHO.
Describing the European Union is a most successful example of economic, political and cultural integration, the president said that increasing Taiwan's relations with the EU is high on his diplomatic agenda.
He said that Taiwan's relations with Europe overall have made significant progress in recent years, citing as an example first lady Wu Shu-chen's trip to France to receive a prize for freedom (2001) from Liberal International on his behalf in November 2001, and her visit of the Czech Republic.
Vice President Annette Lu went to Hungary in March 2002 to attend an annual meeting of Liberal International, and she also visited the Vatican and Italy. Legislative President Wang Jin-pyng visited the European Parliament and met with its President Pat Cox in July 2002, he added.
On cross-Taiwan Strait relations, the EU has always advocated that both sides of the Taiwan Strait should solve their differences peacefully and that any solutions must be agreed upon by both sides, Chen continued.
On the economic front, he noted that over the last two years, Taiwan has signed agreements with the Netherlands, Sweden and Britain on the avoidance of double taxation.
The EU set up an economic and trade office in Taipei March 10, representing a milestone in bilateral relations, he said.
Chen also said that with Taiwan's admission into the World Trade Organization and the setting up of an EU trade office in Taipei, mutual trade cooperation could be strengthened and bilateral relations will be enhanced.
He noted that Taiwan's trade with Europe totaled US$33.1 billion last year, while Taiwan's trade with the EU totaled US$28.9 billion. With Europe's investment in Taiwan totaling US$7.14 billion, he said, both sides can work on how to increase trade cooperation and multilateral exchanges.