Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/11/27
B:y Tai Ya-chen, Chen Cheng-wei and S.C. Chang

Taipei, Nov. 27 (CNA) A group of Japanese officials are scheduled to arrive in Taipei Monday for an economic and trade meeting with their Taiwanese counterparts in the following two days, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Council of Agriculture (COA) officials said Sunday.

A MOFA official said both delegations will exchange views on the meeting agenda Monday, and will not “touch on substantive issues” — effectively denying some media reports that the two sides will be holding a preliminary meeting on inking an economic partnership agreement (EPA).

“We will express our interest in signing such an agreement with Japan, but that is a matter for higher level politicians to decide, not working level officials,” said the MOFA official who declined to be named.

A COA official said when both delegations meet on Tuesday and Wednesday, the council’s delegates will seek Japanese views on importing fruit from Taiwan and will not raise the issue of whether or not Taiwan will soon lift its ban on importing food from Japan’s radiation-affected areas.    [FULL  STORY]