Taiwan, Philippines explore signing free trade pact

Mar 14, 2011, 13:23 GMT

Taipei - Taiwan and the Philippines agreed on Monday to explore the possibility of a free trade pact, in a move seen as reconciliation of the two sides over a recent extradition row.

Relations soured last month when Manila sent 14 Taiwanese fraud suspects to China despite Taipei's protest.

But Philippine presidential envoy Manuel Roxas visited Taiwan for a second meeting with foreign minister Timothy Yang Monday.

In addition to discussing improved judicial cooperation, 'Our two sides have agreed to soon start studying the feasibility of forging an economic partnership pact,' Yang said.

Roxas said he hoped incidents such as the extradition incident 'can be avoided in the future.' Roxas also met Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou after his talks with Yang.

The row saw Taipei put restrictions on migrant workers from the Philippines. Tensions started to thaw when Manila extradited a Taiwan fugitive suspected of lottery fraud back to the island.

Manila on Wednesday also sacked its immigration chief and senior immigration official, and Taiwan has responded by saying it would relax the requirements on Filipinos seeking work in Taiwan.

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