EU welcomes cross-Straits agreements

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-11-06 07:26

BRUSSELL- The European Union (EU) has welcomed the new agreements signed between the mainland and Taiwan, calling them "a significant positive step toward finding pragmatic solutions that benefit people on both sides of the Straits".

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, applauded "the determination of both sides to take up these opportunities that contribute to reinforcing stability and security in East Asia".

The mainland and Taiwan signed four agreements on air and sea transport, postal services and food safety on Tuesday. The deals will allow direct daily cross-Straits chartered flights, direct sea routes and early notification of food safety.

The agreements will end the circuitous journey flights and ships had to take through a third place to reach the mainland from Taiwan, and vice versa.

"The EU has always taken the firm view that the Taiwan question must be resolved peacefully through constructive dialogue. Today's agreements represent a significant positive step toward finding pragmatic solutions that benefit both sides of the Straits," Solana said.

He reiterated that the EU will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and provide firm support to future initiatives that advance meaningful dialogue across the Straits.