Brussels, 25/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - In a declaration published on 22 March, the Slovenian EU Council Presidency welcomes the organisation, the same day, of presidential elections in Taiwan and reiterates its support for the island's democratic values. Kuomintang opposition candidate, Ma Ying-jeou, won the presidential election on Sunday, ahead of Franck Hsieh of the Democratic Progressive Party, the outgoing president's political formation. The EU trusts that the arrival of the new administration in Taiwan will be a “welcome opportunity for both sides of the strait to make further progress in cross-strait relations”. It points out that it does not support Taiwan's formal membership of international organisations where statehood is required. However, in the framework of its One China Policy, the EU will continue to support Taiwan's practical participation in specialised multilateral fora where statehood is not a requirement, especially where Taiwan's participation directly affects its people and is important to the EU and global interests. The EU looks forward to both sides taking concrete steps allowing Taiwan's meaningful participation in such fora. (A.B.)