News
EU official downplays need for BIA
Courtesy of ICRT
A member of the European Union's diplomatic service says a bilateral investment agreement (BIA) with Taiwan is unnecessary for protecting the interests of investors from the 27-nation bloc.
European External Action Service Asia Pacific Managing Director Gunnar Wiegand made the statement during the "EU-Taiwan: Partners in a Changing World" seminar.
Wiegand says stable conditions and a well-functioning legal system in Taiwan mean it's "rational" for the EU not to seek a BIA with Taipei.
Wiegand says calls for such an agreement are solely "political" and purely from the perspective of supporting EU companies "we don't necessarily need a BIA."
The statements were made in response to comments at the seminar by Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Roy Lee, who suggested initiating talks in less politically sensitive areas with the ultimate goal of reaching a bilateral investment agreement.
