EU welcomes cross-Straits agreements

BRUSSELS: The European Union (EU) has welcomed the new agreements signed between the mainland and Taiwan, calling them "a significant positive step toward finding pragmatic solutions that benefit people on both sides of the Straits".

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, applauded "the determination of both sides to take up these opportunities that contribute to reinforcing stability and security in East Asia".

The mainland and Taiwan signed four agreements on air and sea transport, postal services and food safety on Tuesday. The deals will allow direct daily cross-Straits chartered flights, direct sea routes and early notification of food safety.