Slovakia's Assistant Foreign Minister Jozef Bereni said the government considered Chen's decision unhelpful to the peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.

The Slovakian government remained in support of one-China policy and promoted a peaceful solution to the Taiwan question through dialogue, Bereni said.

A senior Portuguese Foreign Ministry official said the government believed that Chen's remarks was dangerous and it was gravely concerned about the security and stability in the Taiwan Straits. The Portugese government will not change its stance on the one-China principle.

Stelian Stoian, director general of the Romanian Foreign Ministry, said the Romanian government stood by the one-China principle and that this position would not be altered.

Romania was deeply worried about Chen's decision, deeming that the move would surely strain the cross-strait ties and impair peace and stability in Asia-Pacific region, he added.

Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian announced his decision to cease the function of the "National Unification Council" (NUC) and the application of the "National Unification Guidelines" on Monday and formally signed papers endorsing his move on Tuesday amid grave international concerns and repeated warnings.

The "NUC" was set up in 1990 by the Taiwan authorities headed by Lee Teng-hui. A total of 14 meetings were held after its establishment. However, no "NUC" meeting has been held since Chen Shui-bian became Taiwan leader.

The "National Unification Guidelines" were issued in 1991, saying both the mainland and Taiwan are under the sovereignty of China and the promotion of the state's reunification should be the common task of all Chinese.

The guidelines also outlined a three-phase goal for the realization of China's reunification.

Source: Xinhua