President Lai Ching-te said May 26 that Taiwan is committed to deepening the diversity of its partnerships with Europe so that democratic resilience proves stronger than authoritarian ambition.
Lai attended the 2026 Europe Day Dinner in Taipei City and said that the event celebrates the Schuman Declaration, which 76 years ago opened a path to peace and cooperation in Europe. He added that the declaration’s spirit serves as the guide to extending Taiwan-Europe partnerships.
Artificial intelligence and semiconductors are the backbone of global prosperity and democratic security, Lai noted, adding that Taiwan plays a critical role in the global supply chain for advanced chips and AI servers. Further, the country’s success combines key technologies from European companies and emerging industries related to national security, such as drones, that have become important areas for Taiwan-Europe cooperation.
Taiwan and Europe enjoy strong economic and trade relationships, Lai said, citing the fact that Europe is Taiwan’s largest source of foreign direct investment and its third largest trading partner. Concomitantly, Taiwan investment in EU member states surged by 650 percent over the past decade, and Lai further expressed hope that Europe will support a bilateral investment agreement with Taiwan and solve the issue of double taxation.
Taiwan is determined to enhance its self-defense capabilities and safeguard the cross-strait status quo when facing authoritarian military threats, he noted, adding that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, as well as regional peace, are a part of values shared with Europe.
Lai thanked the European Parliament, NATO leaders, the G7, and European nations for continuously emphasizing the importance of stability in the Indo-Pacific, which reflects a clear consensus that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific are inseparable. He also expressed appreciation to the EU for its support of Taiwan’s international participation, including in the World Health Assembly.
Taiwan stands on the frontline of the democratic community, and the country continues to be a stable force for good and a responsible member of the international community, Lai said. He reasserted that Taiwan’s belief in freedom and democracy carries on the spirit of the Schuman Declaration and looked forward to long continuance of the Taiwan-Europe friendship. (YCH-E)
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Lai attended the 2026 Europe Day Dinner in Taipei City and said that the event celebrates the Schuman Declaration, which 76 years ago opened a path to peace and cooperation in Europe. He added that the declaration’s spirit serves as the guide to extending Taiwan-Europe partnerships.
Artificial intelligence and semiconductors are the backbone of global prosperity and democratic security, Lai noted, adding that Taiwan plays a critical role in the global supply chain for advanced chips and AI servers. Further, the country’s success combines key technologies from European companies and emerging industries related to national security, such as drones, that have become important areas for Taiwan-Europe cooperation.
Taiwan and Europe enjoy strong economic and trade relationships, Lai said, citing the fact that Europe is Taiwan’s largest source of foreign direct investment and its third largest trading partner. Concomitantly, Taiwan investment in EU member states surged by 650 percent over the past decade, and Lai further expressed hope that Europe will support a bilateral investment agreement with Taiwan and solve the issue of double taxation.
Taiwan is determined to enhance its self-defense capabilities and safeguard the cross-strait status quo when facing authoritarian military threats, he noted, adding that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, as well as regional peace, are a part of values shared with Europe.
Lai thanked the European Parliament, NATO leaders, the G7, and European nations for continuously emphasizing the importance of stability in the Indo-Pacific, which reflects a clear consensus that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific are inseparable. He also expressed appreciation to the EU for its support of Taiwan’s international participation, including in the World Health Assembly.
Taiwan stands on the frontline of the democratic community, and the country continues to be a stable force for good and a responsible member of the international community, Lai said. He reasserted that Taiwan’s belief in freedom and democracy carries on the spirit of the Schuman Declaration and looked forward to long continuance of the Taiwan-Europe friendship. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
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