Taiwan should be allowed into WHO: EU rep
Published: April 23, 2003
Source: The Taiwan Economic News
Taiwan should be allowed to join the World Health Organization, the representative of the European Union in Taiwan said on Tuesday.
Brian McDonald, director of the E.U. Economic and Trade Office in Taipei, told local press that the recent outbreak of SARS can serve as a positive factor in Taiwan's bid to join the world's top health organization.
He praised Taiwan's efforts and achievements in containing the spread of the potentially deadly disease and noted that disease recognizes no boundaries.
Referring to his office, which he said will open within one month, McDonald said that it is aimed at promoting economic and cultural exchanges between Taiwan and E.U. member nations. The protection of intellectual property rights and government procurement agreements will be the focus of his efforts in the short term, he added.
Taiwan is the third-largest trading partner in Asia of the European Union, behind only China and Japan, with bilateral trade of US$36.7 billion recorded for 2002, he said.
TOP
