10/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - Taiwan has welcomed the renewed support from the European Parliament in the resolution made last week for strengthening relations between the countries of Asia (see EUROPE 7 September p 15). In this document, the EP expresses, "its concern at Taiwan's exclusion from ASEM and the WHO, but also the arms build-up across the Taiwan Straits", stresses the Taipei Representation in Brussels. The press release also explains that the European Commission has been invited there, "to initiate the process of negotiation which will lead to an EU-Taiwan free trade agreement" and that the EP had again insisted that a trade office be opened in Taiwan in parallel with other new offices in Asia. Commissioner Chris Patten confirmed to Parliament that this would be carried out at the end of the year as planned. The Council and Member States are called on to honour their commitments on fundamental right so freedom to travel, by issuing, "visas to the President and all high-ranking officials of Taiwan for private visits to the EU", underlines the Taiwan Representation.