A3-0139/93

Resolution on GATT membership for Taiwan

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the motion for a resolution by Mr Cooney and others on support for Taiwan's bid for membership of GATT (B3-1752/91),

-having regard to its resolution of 11 July 1985 on trade with Taiwan,

-having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Security (A3-0139/93),

A.whereas, when it last applied for GATT membership (January 1990), the Taiwanese Government used the name 'Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu',

B.bearing in mind that China is a founder member of GATT but withdrew from the organization in 1950,

C.aware of the great sensitivity of Taiwan's application, particularly with reference to the need to consider the application without prejudging the issue of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China,

D.mindful of the fact that the Community has no diplomatic relations with the Taiwanese Government since the only recognized government is that of the People's Republic of China, but recognizing Taiwan's geopolitical importance in the western Pacific,

E.whereas it is in the Community's interest not to ignore the role this country can play in the area, inter alia with regard to the readjustment of the balance of power between the countries of the region,

F.mindful of the exceptional economic results achieved by Taiwan, which make it the world's second largest - if not the largest - holder of gold and foreign currency reserves, the world's twelfth largest exporter and the second largest foreign investor in Asia,

G.whereas trade between Taiwan and the Community has grown steadily over the years and, in 1991, Taiwan was the Community's tenth largest supplier and twenty-second largest export market,

H.mindful of the contribution Taiwan makes to the development of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe through the Taipei, China - European Bank for Reconstruction and Development cooperation fund, involving a sum of around US$ 10 million,

I.mindful of the changes brought in under the reform process launched by the Kuomintang in 1986, which has led to the lifting of martial law and the formation of political parties (particularly the Democratic Progress Party), and of the fact that the constitution now guarantees a large number of fundamental rights and freedom of the press,

J.welcoming Taiwan's new attitude towards the People's Republic, which has led to the abolition of the 'period of mobilization for the suppression of the Communist rebellion', signifying the abandonment of military force as a means of reunifying China,

K.whereas trade and cultural and academic exchanges between the two shores of the Formosa Strait are steadily increasing, with the Taiwanese Government now authorizing investment and visits to relations on the mainland, and whereas the two countries have at the same time set up civilian coordination bodies with a view to resolving any problems arising from these exchanges,

1.Considers that the Commission and the Member States should support Taiwan's application for GATT membership, since this will have a positive effect on world trade;

2.Believes, however, that because of the immense sensitivity which the treatment of this question requires, the applications of the People's Republic of China and Taiwan should be considered in parallel, without pre-empting the outcome of negotiations;

3.Takes the view that, given Taiwan's role in international economic relations and the reserves which it holds, exploratory contacts should be established with a view to Taiwan joining other international economic organizations (particularly the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the OECD);

4.Notes the constitutional changes under way in Taiwan and is convinced that the country's re-entry into the international community can but reinforce the democratic reform process;

5.Takes the view that, at the present stage, relations between the Community and Taiwan should be organized on the basis of a pragmatic approach allowing the establishment and strengthening of political, cultural, economic and commercial relations;

6.Considers that investment and trade with this country should be stepped up, since its market warrants more active exploitation by the Community's industries;

7.Is convinced of Taiwan's strategic and political importance and its enormous potential, which could help to readjust the balance of power in the western Pacific;

8.Calls on the Commission and the Council to take the necessary steps to strengthen relations with Taiwan on the basis of a pragmatic approach, without damaging relations with China, in order to encourage administrative, technical and commercial cooperation;

9.Calls on both Taiwan and China to respect minimum labour standards as set out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO);

10.Calls on the Commission to open an office in Taipei, as it has done in the other countries of the region, this already being the case with all the Member States, which are represented in Taiwan by cultural or trade institutes, etc.;

11.Takes the view that contacts between the European Parliament and Taiwan's Legislative Yuan could increase mutual understanding;

12.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Secretariat of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.