11 January 2015 marks the 4th anniversary of the introduction of the Schengen visa waiver treatment for Republic of China (Taiwan) passport holders. This not only demonstrates the EU’s confidence in the security of ROC travel documents, but it is a testament to Taiwan’s development, progress and the qualities of its people. The Visa waiver has greatly enhanced the ability for Taiwan and EU citizens to interact by increasing exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and European countries. The Visa waiver is therefore the key driving force in deepening and broadening the EU-Taiwan relationship.
The ROC Foreign Ministry has been actively seeking visa-free travel agreements with countries all over the world in recent years. The conclusion of the Schengen visa-free treatment also helped to have the same treatment been applied to 5 Balkan countries and 26 overseas territories belonging to France, the Netherlands and Britain, so that ROC nationals can now enjoy visa-free entry into 69 European countries and their territories (140 globally).
In the past 4 years, EU-Taiwan relations have much progressed as follows:
1.Economics and trade: The EU is Taiwan’s fourth largest trading partner, while Taiwan is the EU’s 7th largest trading partner in Asia, and its 21st globally. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ International Trade Bureau, the EU-Taiwan bilateral trade volume amounted to more than US$ 49 billion in 2013, accounting for 9% of Taiwan’s total foreign trade. In addition, the EU is also Taiwan’s biggest source of foreign direct investment (FDI), amounting to more than US$ 32.6 billion.
2.Taiwan-EU political relations: The European Union has issued 5 statements, and there have been 5 resolutions from the European Parliament expressing support for Taiwan. In October 2013, the EP adopted "The EU - Taiwan Trade Relations Resolution" to show support for an investment protection and market access agreement between the EU and Taiwan. This resolution will help pave the way for a "bilateral investment agreement "(BIA) and an economic cooperation agreement (ECA) between Taiwan and EU.
3.Bilateral cooperation: The ROC government has signed nearly 50 official cooperation agreements with the EU and European countries, in the fields of science and technology, education, customs, telecommunications, mutual legal assistance, nuclear safety, food safety, e-government, green energy, medicine, intellectual property protection, innovative research and development, etc.
4.Youth Exchange: Taiwan has signed Working Holiday Agreements with 13 countries, among which 8 countries- Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, and Austria– are in Europe. This exchange program supports and encourages young people to engage in exchanges and expand their horizons.
5.Other exchanges: About 450 European politicians and MEPs visit Taiwan each year, with bilateral exchanges increasing on a yearly basis.
After many years of effort, the European Commission officially proposed to amend the law to grant ROC nationals visa-free access to the Schengen Zone on 5 July , 2010. After the amendment was adopted by the European Parliament, and the Council of Ministers, the law was formally implemented on 11 January, 2011. The Republic of China and the EU share the same values of democracy, freedom, and human rights, as well as other universally recognized values. The ROC will continue working with the EU to bring prosperity and progress to both sides.
