WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1703/97 by Hadar CARS to the Commission. Representation in Taipei
Date: 1997-05-20
Institutions: CARS, European Parliament
Subjects: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, World Trade Organisation, information centre, scientific cooperation, technical cooperation, trade cooperation

11. 3. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 76/43

implementation of the Uruguay round and the continuation of this process, in particular by the quantitative and
budgetary  reduction  of  export  refunds.  However,  market  liberalisation  and  the  elimination  of  support  do  not
automatically improve the environment, achieve rural development or help the poor and hungry in developing
countries. Accompanying policies securing the multifunctional character of agriculture are needed to achieve
these aims.

(98/C 76/121)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1703/97

by Hadar Cars (ELDR) to the Commission

(20 May 1997)

Subject: Representation in Taipei

During his meeting with Parliament(cid:146)s Foreign Affairs Committee on 14 April this year, Sir Leon Brittan was
reminded of Parliament(cid:146)s call for a representation to be established in Taipei and was asked what action the
Commission had taken in response thereto?

He replied that no progress had been made and that the Commission intended to await decisions on Taiwanese
and Chinese membership of the WTO.

Given that Hong Kong is soon to be handed over to China, it is important, from a political perspective, that the
EU utilize every opportunity to strengthen its contacts with Taiwan. Trade policy alone should not therefore
determine when a representation is established in Taipei. It is extremely important, for political reasons, that such
an office be opened as soon as possible.

Is the Commission President, Mr Santer, prepared to act in order to ensure that the Commission establishes a
representation in Taiwan in the near future?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(13 June 1997)

The Commission believes that (resources permitting) there is a good case for establishing an office to pursue
Community commercial and cooperation policies in Taipei. Such an office could operate on the same informal
basis as the commercial and other offices which many countries maintain in Taiwan, including most Member
States. It could already perform useful tasks under the current Community market access strategy, and would
certainly be even more important once Taiwan is a member of the World trade organisation (WTO). In addition,
it would be in a good position to assist in the development of cooperation activities in areas such as science and
technology and European studies, as well as in the field of business cooperation. However, such a possibility will
depend  on  an  evaluation  of  the  Commission’s  priorities  for  the  development  of  its  network  of  external
representations. This in turn will depend on the overall availability of human and financial resources.

(98/C 76/122)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1705/97

by Wolfgang Kreissl-Do¤rfler (V) to the Commission

(23 May 1997)

Subject: Damage to the environment due to destruction of surplus fruit and vegetables

As the Commission gave only a general answer to my questions E-1901/96, E-1902/96 and E-1903/96 (1) (and
based  it  on  outdated  figures),  I  should  like  to  repeat  my  question  about  damage  to  the  environment  due  to
destruction of fruit and vegetables (and the costs arising from it) and to request an appropriate answer: