Taipei, July 16 (CNA) Taiwan has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Poland to promote cooperation in the agricultural sector, according to the Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture (COA).
Poland is the fourth European country to sign a deal on agricultural cooperation with Taiwan, following the Netherlands, France and Hungary, said Lin Chia-jung, a deputy head of the COA's Department of International Affairs, on Saturday.
Lin said the agreement was signed by Taiwan's representative to Poland, Henry Chen, in Warsaw on July 11, after Poland's representative to Taiwan, Maciej Artur Gaca, did so in Taipei on June 21, on behalf of their respective governments.
The initiative, which will encourage information and experience sharing between the two countries, is part of Taiwan's efforts to build closer ties with the main agricultural hubs in Europe, Lin said, adding that Taiwan is hoping to forge more partnerships there.
Under the MOU, Taiwan and Poland will work to establish a negotiation mechanism in the agricultural sector, Lin said.
They will also share their experiences in developing the agriculture sector, exchange information related to food inspections and regulations governing animal and plant health quarantines, and deepen cooperation in the food safety area, he noted.
Lin also revealed that following the agreement's signing, the two countries will likely hold a meeting next year to discuss further proposals for agricultural cooperation or plans for exchanges.
Taiwan has aggressively pursued agricultural partnerships with other countries to expand its markets because there are fewer obstacles to negotiating them than signing free trade agreements, which involves tariff and market opening challenges, Lin said.
Therefore, apart from Europe, Taiwan has also been negotiating agricultural cooperation MOUs with countries that are part of the government's New Southbound Policy, the official said.
Adopted by President Tsai Ing-wen, the policy seeks to advance relations with countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia, as well as Australia and New Zealand.
