P6_TA(2005)0297

Relations between the EU, China and Taiwan and security in the Far East

European Parliament resolution on relations between the EU, China and Taiwan and security in the Far East

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its resolution of 14 April 2005 on the annual report from the Council to the European Parliament on the main aspects and basic choices of CFSP, including the financial implications for the general budget of the European Communities — 2003 [1],

- having regard to its resolution of 28 April 2005 on the Annual Report on Human Rights in the World 2004 and the EU's policy on the matter [2],

- having regard to the Commission Communication on "Europe and Asia: A Strategic Framework for Enhanced Partnerships" (COM(2001)0469),

- having regard to its resolution of 13 April 2000 on Taiwan [3],

- having regard to Rule 103(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas relations between China and Taiwan are continuing to deteriorate owing to recent threats by China against Taiwan and the ongoing stationing of hundreds of missiles in the southern provinces of China facing Taiwan,

B. whereas tensions have arisen in relations between Japan and China, caused by Chinese riots against Japanese interests and calls to boycott Japanese products,

C. reiterating that Taiwan has in recent years expressed a willingness to assist financially and technically in international aid and health activities supported by the WHO,

D. whereas the fifth Asia-Europe meeting — the ASEM 5 Summit — in Hanoi on 7- 9 October 2004 and the seventh meeting of Foreign Ministers of the ASEM countries on 6- 7 May 2005 in Kyoto raise hopes that the ASEM process will be further strengthened on all levels, including the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership, with a view to fostering peace and stability in the Far East,

E. noting that, with the burgeoning economic and trade relationship between Europe and the Far East, peace and security in the region are increasingly vital for the EU,

1. Deplores the tensions among various countries in the Far East and expresses its willingness to support all endeavours to support peace and stability in the Far East;

2. Underlines the basic principles of multi-party democracy, the rule of law and compliance with universal human rights as preconditions for lasting peace and stability in the Far East;

3. Calls on China and Taiwan to establish mutual trust and respect and to seek common ground while setting aside differences, to put in place the necessary political basis for a peaceful and steady development of cross-Straits relations and to resume dialogue on those relations, to strengthen economic exchange and cooperation, particularly pushing forward the "three direct links" across the Taiwan Strait (mail, transport and trade);

4. Points out that any arrangement between China and Taiwan can only be achieved on a mutually acceptable basis; expresses the view that the future of cross-Straits relations will depend on both sides willingness to demonstrate flexibility; supports Taiwan's achievements as regards the establishment of a fully-fledged democratic system, social pluralism, and respect for human rights and the rule of law, and takes the view that the will and approval of the 23 million people in Taiwan must be respected and taken into account with a view to a hopefully peaceful solution between the parties;

5. Objects to the anti-secession law because it does not comply with international law and is a tool that cannot successfully lead to "peaceful national reunification", which was its declared goal, and it therefore undermines the fragile security balance in the Far East;

6. Strongly recommends to the Council and the Commission that the arms embargo remain intact until greater progress is made on human rights issues in China and on cross-Straits relations, as well as until the EU makes its code of conduct on arms sales legally binding;

7. Calls on China gradually to implement universal human rights and especially to ratify promptly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;

8. Welcomes the resumption of the first session of the fourth round of talks in the framework of the Sino-Tibetan dialogue which took place in Bern (Switzerland) from 30 June to 1 July 2005, and calls for it to continue;

9. Calls for a better representation of Taiwan in international organisations and reiterates its call on the Commission and the Member States to support Taiwan's application for observer status in the World Health Organisation;

10. Is deeply concerned that North Korea declared on 10 February 2005 that it possesses nuclear weapons and suspended its participation in the six-party talks on its nuclear programme for an indefinite period;

11. Urges North Korea to rejoin the Nuclear non-proliferation Treaty, to revoke its decision to withdraw from the six-party talks and to allow the resumption of negotiations in order to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in the Korean peninsula;

12. Calls on the Council and the Commission to offer financial support for heavy fuel oil supplies to meet North Korea's primary energy needs, subject to a verified freezing of the Yongbyon plant; welcomes the EU participation in the Korean Energy Development Organisation (KEDO); regrets the blocking of Charles Kartman's reappointment as head of KEDO; asks the Commission and the Council to make the necessary approaches regarding full EU participation in future six-party talks;

13. Calls on the governments of Japan, China and the Korean peninsula to stop any adversary action against each other, to facilitate dialogue among the nations at official and unofficial level with a view to reaching a common understanding of history, and to achieve a final reconciliation between their governments and peoples as an important basis for peace and stability in the Far East;

14. Notes Japan's understandable wish to revise its constitution drafted in the aftermath of World War II and notes the symbolic importance of retaining a commitment to refrain from aggressive military action;

15. Urges all countries in the Far East to seek bilateral agreements to resolve the outstanding territorial disputes in the region, in particular:

(a) the return to Japan of the "Northern territories" that were occupied by the then Soviet Union at the end of World War II and are currently occupied by Russia,

(b) the dispute over the ownership of the Dokdo/Takeshima Islands between South Korea and Japan,

(c) the dispute over the ownership of Senkaku-Daioyutai between Japan and Taiwan;

16. Calls on all countries in the Far East to seek reconciliation among themselves sixty years after the end of World War II and to establish a system of mutual understanding and cooperation in order to secure lasting peace and stability in the Far East, and declares its willingness to support these endeavours;

17. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the governments and parliaments of the countries mentioned herein.

[1] Texts Adopted, P6_TA(2005)0132.

[2] Texts Adopted, P6_TA(2005)0150.

[3] OJ C 40, 7.2.2001, p. 428.

--------------------------------------------------