TRADE MEETING:Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lee said the two sides would not discuss import rules on food from Japan or fishing rights near Okinotori Atoll
Taipei Times
Date: Nov 29, 2016
By: Staff writer, with CNA
No controversial issues will be discussed at the annual trade and economic talks between Taiwan and
Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lee speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Lee said he does not expect any controversial issues to be discussed at today’s annual trade and economic meeting between Taiwan and Japan. Photo: CNA
Japan, which start today in Taipei, Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lee (李大維) said yesterday.
Lee made the remarks in response to media queries about whether the issue of Taiwan’s ban on food imports from five Japanese prefectures near the site of the defunct Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant will be put on the negotiating table at the two-day Taiwan-Japan Trade and Economic Meeting.
The government is considering lifting the ban at Japan’s request, but has encountered heavy opposition, mainly over food safety concerns.
Lee said that the government would continue to uphold its strict regulations on the import of Japanese food products.
Food products from Japan will not be allowed into the nation unless they pass a strict science-based inspection, he said.
Lee said that the two sides would not discuss the matter of fishing rights in waters near Japan’s Okinotori Atoll.
What will be addressed at the meeting are issues related to intellectual property rights and agricultural produce, he said, adding that no one can predict whether any substantial conclusions would be reached at the talks. [FULL STORY]
