Top U.S. diplomat to Taiwan confident of progress on big issues

According to Stanton, outstanding issues include resuming the long-halted Trade Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks, working on the inclusion of Taiwan in the U.S. visa waiver program, evaluating the provision of more security assistance to Taiwan, supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations, and strengthening other areas of cooperation.

“Perhaps the most important vehicle we have for the trade agenda is the TIFA. That has been stalled over the beef issue, but it looks like it's resolved,” Stanton said.

“We are looking to resuming the TIFA talks very soon. We hope before the end of the year to review new areas for progress on our trade agenda,” the envoy said in his speech at an international seminar in Taipei titled “Taipei-Washington- Beijing Relations under the Ma and Obama Administrations.”

The TIFA talks, which are regularly held alternatively by Taiwan and the U.S., have been halted because of differences over Taiwan's continued restrictions on U.S. beef imports. Another area in which the U.S. and Taiwan are looking to expand cooperation is law enforcement, said Stanton, who noted that the U.S. has been very encouraged by Taiwan's efforts in combating human trafficking.

He thinks that over the long term, there is great hope that Taipei and Washington can ink an extradition agreement, which would serve mutual interests.

On the issue of including Taiwan in the U.S. visa waiver program, Stanton said Washington wants to make travel to the U.S. more secure and convenient for Taiwanese visitors and is encouraging Taiwan to strengthen its document security and how it issues its passports.

“We hope (to work) toward the goal of bringing Taiwan into the visa waiver program, which I certainly think is doable. I worked on the visa waiver program, which was a success in Korea, and I don't see why it can't be done here,” Stanton said.

On Taiwan's international participation, the diplomat said Taiwan has plenty to offer to the international community, and he noted it hopes to join the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and International Civil Aviation Organization.

“We support Taiwan's meaningful participation in these and similar organizations, and will do what we can to help that happen,” he said. Stanton said that the U.S. very much welcomes the improving relations between Taipei and Beijing but indicated that Taiwan needs to feel secure to continue that progress.

“Taiwan needs friends, and I can say with assurance that the U.S. will continue to be a dependable friend of Taiwan,” he said.

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