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APRIL 4 2009 EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE, TAIWAN EU

eu/environment/greenweek 2 4 6 8 10 12 www.europeana.

The European Parliament Receives Taiwan s Legislative Yuan

1 APRIL EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE, TAIWAN EU NEWSLETTER International Competition Network (ICN) Merger Workshop The European Parliament Receives Taiwan s Legislative Yuan s Delegation New Communication on Market Access Taiwan s Accession to the GPA Savinja Valley, Slovenia

2 Study www.europeana.eu in Europe Stories of Alumni www.europeana.eu Wow!

These are more than dreams thanks to Europeana s Internet and digitalisation techniques, stated Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for Information Society and Media.

The launch of Europe s online multimedia library, Europeana, sparked much attention and international interest.

2 2 Study in Europe Stories of Alumni Wow! A Czech student browses the British library without going to London, and an Irish art lover just got close to the Mona Lisa without queuing at the Louvre. These are more than dreams thanks to Europeana s Internet and digitalisation techniques, stated Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for Information Society and Media. On 20 November 2008, in the Palais de Charles de Lorraine in the Royal Library of Belgium, Brussels, real progress in managing and integrating the EU s knowledge resources was showcased to the public. The launch of Europe s online multimedia library, Europeana, sparked much attention and international interest. The website of this transnational digital library attracted more than 10 million hits during the first hour - more than double the number anticipated. The sheer volume of hits caused the Europeana network to technically break down on the very first day. Instead of the rich colour-and-light texture of a Vermeer painting, there only was a stark black-and-white image saying: The Europeana site is temporarily not accessible due to overwhelming interest after its launch. The management promised to relaunch this giant database with a more robust version. The digital content of Europeana is a selection of images digitised and made available by Europe s museums, libraries, archives and audio-visual collections. The prototype aims to include content from these four cultural heritage domains, plus a broad range of content from across Europe. And the interface will be multilingual. Initially, this may mean that it is available in French, English and German, but the intention is to increase the number of available languages following the launch. After the Europeana prototype is launched, the project s final task is to recommend a business model to maintain the website. It will also identify any further research and implementation needed to make Europe s cultural heritage fully interoperable and accessible through a truly multilingual service. The aim is that, by 2010, the Europeana portal will give everybody direct access to well over six million digital sounds, pictures, books, archival records and films. Europeana opens up new ways of exploring Europe s heritage: anyone interested in literature, art, science, politics, history, architecture, music or cinema will have free and fast access to Europe s greatest collections and masterpieces in a single virtual library through a web portal available in all EU languages. But this is just the beginning. In 2010, Europeana will be the gateway to millions of items representing Europe s rich cultural diversity and will have interactive zones such as communities for special interests. Between 2009 and 2011, some 2 million per year of EU funding will be earmarked to achieving this. The Commission also plans to involve the private sector to further expand Europe s digital library. APRIL 2009 EU NEWSLETTER

3 Europeana Government Procurement Seminar 3 EU NEWSLETTER APRIL 2009

4 International Competition Network (ICN) Merger Workshop International Competition Network (ICN) Merger Workshop This year, the International Competition Network (ICN) Merger Workshop was hosted by

The 60 participants were officials of competition law authorities and lawyers specialising in this field from 22 countries.

4 4 International Competition Network (ICN) Merger Workshop International Competition Network (ICN) Merger Workshop This year, the International Competition Network (ICN) Merger Workshop was hosted by the Taiwan Fair Trade Commission (TFTC) in the Grand Hotel on March 10 and 11. It is the first time in the history of the ICN that Taiwan hosts a technical workshop. The 60 participants were officials of competition law authorities and lawyers specialising in this field from 22 countries. The two-day workshop had brief introductory presentations with a procedural and analytic structure to each plenary session, and mirrored the successful format of past merger workshops by presenting a hypothetical merger case at each breakout session. All moderators and speakers at each session were experts on economics and jurisprudence from experienced competition authorities. The Chairman of the TFTC, Mr Tang, Jinn-Chuan, stated in his opening address that, with the advent of economic globalisation and rapidly growing international trade, inter- and multi-jurisdictional mergers have become inevitable. More and more cross-border transaction cases may fall within two or more jurisdictions at the same time. In response to these practical needs, we share a strong common interest in enhancing procedural and substantive convergence in antitrust enforcement. Merger review should be a major issue within this context. Chairman Tang continued, saying that over the past few years, the ICN Merger Working Group has produced a number of pragmatic and valuable professional products, including the 2005 Investigative Techniques Handbook, the 2005 Merger Remedies Review Project, and the 2006 Merger Guidelines Workbook. The Recommended Practices for Merger Notification Procedures is also worth noting. This practical written paper provides many agencies, particularly those ready to adopt or in the process of developing merger regimes, with clear guidance on setting transparent and streamlined procedures for notification. Building on this robust groundwork, the ICN Merger Working Group subsequently developed recommended practices on substantive merger analysis, with expected benefits due to be felt soon. On March 12, two EU officials from DG Competition, Mrs Simon and Mr Ohrlander, visited Chairman Tang at the TFTC, accompanied by Dr Guy Ledoux, Head of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taipei and a brief meeting was held. Chairman Tang expressed his hope to continue promoting cooperation between the competition authorities in EU and Taiwan, and he felt there was the potential to create a more beneficial competitive environment. Mrs Simon and Mr Ohrlander both appreciated the quality of the organisation of the merger workshop and the lively discussions that took place. The International Competition Network (ICN) was launched on October by top antitrust officials from 14 jurisdictions - the European Union, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Zambia. It is the only international body devoted exclusively to competition law enforcement, and its members are competition authorities. APRIL 2009 EU NEWSLETTER

5 International Competition Network (ICN) Merger Workshop 5 EU NEWSLETTER APRIL 2009

6 The European Parliament Receives Taiwan s Legislative Yuan s Delegation The European Parliament Receives Taiwan s Legislative Yuan's Delegation The European Parliament received a delegation from

6 6 The European Parliament Receives Taiwan s Legislative Yuan s Delegation The European Parliament Receives Taiwan s Legislative Yuan's Delegation The European Parliament received a delegation from Taiwan s Legislative Yuan led by Mr Jin-pyng Wang on 11 February The delegation members were the lawmakers from KMT Party including Ms Li-wun Cheng, Mr Yu-fang Lin, Mr Shou-chung Ting, Mr Hsueh-chang Lu, Ms Fong-chi Chu, Ms Hsiu-chu Hung, Ms Li-huan Yang and lawmakers from the Democratic Progressive Party, including Ms Ying Chen and Mr Shiing-jer Twu. The European Parliament incumbent President Hans-Gert Pottering welcomed Mr Wang with great hospitality. The two men shared views on cross-strait relations, Taiwan s efforts to combat the global downturn and its role in spreading democracy in Asia. Mr Wang explained to Mr Pottering that the ROC government was committed to deepening Taiwan s democracy and protecting human rights. In response, Mr Pottering reaffirmed the Parliament s support for Taiwan upholding these values. Dr Georg Jarzembowski, Chairman of the European Parliament-Taiwan Friendship Group, on behalf of the European Parliament gave the highest accolade to Mr Wang Jin-pyng for his endeavours to consolidate and enhance the relationship between the European Parliament and the Legislative Yuan. As the longstanding Speaker of the Legislative Yuan, our distinguished friend Mr Jin-Pyng Wang has an outstanding record for his dedication and fight for democracy and human rights said Dr Jarzembowski. EP-Taiwan Friendship Group is the basis for important and trusted exchanges of views between two fully-fledged parliaments developing more and more influence as the representative bodies of the people in Taiwan and in the European Union. The European Parliament wholeheartedly supports Speaker Wang s approach to improving the bilateral relationship through confidence-building measures, without giving up the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law that have been established in the ROC on Taiwan, Dr Jarzembowski continued. APRIL 2009 EU NEWSLETTER As Belgium was the final leg of Mr Wang s European trip, he used the speech to wrap up an 11-day official visit to Europe and to thank the Parliament for its 5 February Resolution backing Taiwan s observer status in international organisations. He also noted that the EU s integration experience, where countries respect each other and pursue common goals, sets a good example for Taiwan and mainland China. We hope the EU s integration model and interaction can inspire leaders on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to abandon counterproductive action, he said. Pursuing East Asian stability and world peace must be the new focus. To further promote trade, cultural exchange, investment and tourism, Mr Wang urged, the European Parliament should support visa waivers for Taiwanese citizens, who make approximately 260,000 trips to Europe each year. In particular, he suggested that the European Parliament help Taiwanese citizens secure visa-free access to EU countries to further bilateral cooperation and exchange. Following Mr Wang s speech, Dr Jarzembowski presented an award to Mr Wang, who is also chairman of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, in recognition of his contribution to promoting Taiwan s democracy and human rights. In return, Mr Wang gave a medal to Mr Jarzembowski to honour his contribution to promoting inter-parliamentary relations with Taiwan. A similar medal was later bestowed on Graham Watson, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, who is known for his long-term support for Taiwan. Mr Watson has announced his bid to run for the presidency of the European Parliament at the parliamentary elections in June.

7 The European Parliament Receives Taiwan s Legislative Yuan s Delegation 7 EU NEWSLETTER APRIL 2009

8 New Communication on Market Access New Communication on Market Access In December 2008 the European Commission issued the Communication From The Commission on The External Dimension Of The Lisbon

It gives an initial report on market access and proposes ways for the Union to achieve its objective of openness at home and abroad, and for it to ensure fair and open access to the third-country

8 8 New Communication on Market Access New Communication on Market Access In December 2008 the European Commission issued the Communication From The Commission on The External Dimension Of The Lisbon Strategy For Growth And Jobs: Reporting on market access and setting the framework for more effective international regulatory cooperation. It gives an initial report on market access and proposes ways for the Union to achieve its objective of openness at home and abroad, and for it to ensure fair and open access to the third-country markets that matter most to EU businesses, including through regulatory cooperation. Since open markets are key to the global economy and create opportunities for growth, employment and investment, they are important for businesses in the EU and in developed and developing economies around the globe. There is a risk that the ongoing financial and economic crisis will give rise to more protectionism. It is important to learn from the past and counter such tendencies. At their recent Washington meeting, Heads of State and Government of the G20 placed a clear emphasis on realising the full potential of the trade agenda. Setting priorities Priority must be given to partners, sectors and policies with a high actual or potential economic interest. The EU s broader political objective of economic integration with its neighbours means that engaging with these countries will also be a priority. Listening to stakeholders The closer partnership forged between the Commission, Member States and business under the Market Access Strategy has proven to be very effective. This should now penetrate all work on market access and regulatory cooperation. Making full use of the range of instruments The EU needs to make focused and coherent use of all available instruments to improve opportunities for European exporters and the global regulatory set-up. This new Communication aims to secure greater opportunities for EU businesses in third countries and brings together external and internal policies. To foster this goal, the EU s future activities should be guided by the following principles: A coordinated approach All efforts to improve market access and export opportunities for European business, and other issues related to regulatory cooperation and convergence, should be coordinated and clearly linked to the external competitiveness agenda. The Communication sets out ways to remove regulatory obstacles, increase market access and create growth and jobs. The Commission will pursue these objectives actively in 2009, including work to boost regulatory cooperation. This will go hand in hand with further work on the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs post To read the full text of the Communication, see the European Commission s DG Trade website at ec.europa.eu/trade/ APRIL 2009 EU NEWSLETTER

9 9 Inside the EU New Communication on Market Access 9 EU NEWSLETTER APRIL 2009

10 Taiwan s Accession to the GPA Sustainable development with a European perspective Taiwan s Accession to the GPA On 9 December 2008, the European Commission warmly welcomed the formal decision by

Agreement (GPA). Commissioner for Trade Catherine Ashton said: This accession will provide new opportunities in public procurement for businesses in both the European Union and Taiwan.

10 10 Taiwan s Accession to the GPA Sustainable development with a European perspective Taiwan s Accession to the GPA On 9 December 2008, the European Commission warmly welcomed the formal decision by the members of the Committee on Government Procurement to adopt the accession of The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei) to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA). Commissioner for Trade Catherine Ashton said: This accession will provide new opportunities in public procurement for businesses in both the European Union and Taiwan. The Commission will continue to seek market access for European companies, especially to help our small and medium-sized enterprises. Commissioner for the Internal Market Charlie McCreevy added: Expansion of GPA membership has always been one of the key objectives of the EC as it leads to further business opportunities for European suppliers. Also, GPA membership guarantees fair, transparent and non-discriminatory procurement procedures. The EC believes that the accession of Chinese Taipei to the GPA will pave the way for expansion of GPA membership and that other WTO members will join the Agreement soon. Taiwan committed to joining the GPA within one year of joining the WTO in However it took six long years of difficult negotiations between Taiwan, the EU and other major trading partners to resolve some issues related to nomenclature. The GPA is a multilateral WTO agreement, which currently applies to 40 WTO Members. Taiwan will become the 41st WTO Member to join the multilateral Agreement. The GPA requires its signatories to give national treatment to the goods, services and suppliers of the other signatories. The Agreement also requires procurements to be conducted in a fair, transparent and predictable manner in accordance with specified principles and procedures. Undeniably, the GPA will help Taiwan secure more international resources to help it build high-quality infrastructure. According to a press release from DG Trade, European Commission, on 1 December 2008, Taiwan's market for government procurement was worth 14.3 billion in 2006 and 16.8 billion in Foreign suppliers have had a 20% share of total government procurement worth more than 120 billion in Chinese Taipei over the past 10 years. EU companies accounted for 3% of the total, worth around 3.7 billion. The European Chamber of Commerce Taipei (ECCT) issued statements welcoming Taiwan s accession to the GPA. It believes that, with Taiwan about to begin implementing the i-taiwan 12 projects, being a party to the GPA will help it secure greater international resources, enable it to build high-quality infrastructure and enhance long-term public benefits. The ECCT commended this development, expressing the hope that it could establish a fair and transparent competitive platform for government procurement, and also that offset requirements for procurements covered by the GPA could be eliminated as soon as possible. The Investment Commission of the Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) is planning a number of explanatory meetings for foreign firms and assists Taiwan s overseas representative offices in carrying out promotional work in their host countries, with a view to attracting foreign firms to participate in procurement and investment in Taiwan s major construction projects. APRIL 2009 EU NEWSLETTER

11 Taiwan s Accession to the GPA 11 EU NEWSLETTER APRIL 2009

Snežna jama Poto ka zijalka Savinja Valley, Slovenia In the Upper Savinja Valley... I cross meadows, fi elds and forests, pass alongside pure and clear waters, in search of alpine peaks.

logarska.si the Savinja River, fed by playful streams and the mighty Rinka waterfall Mountain plateaus, underground worlds and the Snežna jama snow cave www.tic-luce.

.. the taste of traditional cuisine such as uppersavinja stomach ; learning about ancient customs, songs and stories www.ztksm-mozirje.

12 Snežna jama Poto ka zijalka Savinja Valley, Slovenia In the Upper Savinja Valley... I cross meadows, fi elds and forests, pass alongside pure and clear waters, in search of alpine peaks. On my visits I discover... l the towering peaks and breathtaking valleys of the Kamnik and Savinja Alps; l Logarska dolina, Robanov kot and Golte three of Slovenia s best known nature parks the Savinja River, fed by playful streams and the mighty Rinka waterfall Mountain plateaus, underground worlds and the Snežna jama snow cave ; the footsteps of Ice-Age hunters in an exhibition at the Potoka zijalka cave. Along the way I enjoy... the taste of traditional cuisine such as uppersavinja stomach ; learning about ancient customs, songs and stories ; homely farm stays, the comfort of local hotels and guesthouses and humble mountain huts and campsites; outdoors activities, from hiking, mountaineering, horse-riding and cycling, to archery and rafting winter sports, such as cross-country skiing, sledging and skiing on snow-covered slopes I stop and admire... the beauty of the landscape ; the alpine fl owers in the garden Alpinetumu on Golte and the blooming beds at Mozirski gaj flower park www. mozirskigaj.com ; the history and heritage of local carpenters and raftsmen, at the Timber Raft Collection and Museum of the Forestry and Timber Industry ; the magnifi cent Cathedral in Gornji Grad and the impressive Library in the Franciscan Monastery at Nazarje the pleasant sound of the zither a centuries-old musical instrument and the harmony of traditional folk songs. I have a deep respect for the landscape, nature and the people. And, dear travellers, you are invited too! Text and pictures courtesy of the Slovenian Tourist Board, Ljubljana / EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE Suite 1603, 16F, No.333, Keelung Road, Sec 1, Taipei 110, Taiwan Tel: Fax: admin-taiwan@ec.europa.eu Website: Printed on 60% recycled paper and with soybean oil base ink ISSN

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D A 2015 4 D822.333 A 0452 8832 2015 4 0014-12 14 The Second ASEAN Regional Forum: The ASEAN Regional Forum, A Concept Paper, in ASEAN Regional Forum Documents Series 1994-2006, ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta,