FAPA Europe slams EU's refusal to support democracy

For immediate release

Thursday, July 19, 2007, Freiburg, Germany - The Formosan Association for Public Affairs Europe (FAPA Europe) slammed the European Union's criticism of a planned democratic referendum to be held on Taiwan. According to a report in the UK based Economist magazine, the EU is drafting a warning to Taiwan, stating that a referendum would be "unhelpful". The same report explained that China's diplomats had pressured the EU into opposing this democratic referendum.

"It is truly saddening and disappointing to see that the EU is willing to betray its core values of democracy and freedom by kowtowing to the Chinese dictatorship," remarked Dr. Stan Lai, spokesperson for FAPA Europe. "While many EU states exercise referenda along with other democratic procedures, why do they criticize Taiwan when it does the same thing? Doesn't this betray hypocrisy on the part of the EU?"

Taiwan, a democratic nation is under threat from 1000 missiles deployed by the People's Republic of China. Though opinion polls indicate that a vast majority of Taiwanese reject unification with China, the Chinese government insists on isolating Taiwan from the international community. The EU has chosen to bow into pressure from China in its rebuke of Taiwan.

"If the EU cares about human rights and democratic development, then it must stop pandering to Chinese autocrats and start supporting Taiwan's rights," continued Lai. "Shouldn't EU policy be made according to European values, rather than be dictated by Beijing?"

"European policy makers need to recognize that the highest level of international agreement regarding the status of Taiwan is the San Francisco Peace Treaty, and under this treaty, China has no legal rights to claim Taiwan as its territory," stated Alison Hsieh, senior researcher for FAPA Europe. "The EU needs to respect the right of self-determination as specified in the charter of the United Nations."

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About FAPA Europe:
FAPA Europe is a European organization that promotes European-Taiwan relations and supports the sovereign right of Taiwan to self-determination.

For more details contact:
Dr. Stan Lai, Spokesperson
Formosan Association for Public Affairs Europe
Hermann-Herder Strasse 3
79104 Freiburg
Germany
Email: info@fapaeu.org
Website: www.fapaeu.org