President Tsai Ing-wen received envoys from the European Parliament’s Taiwan Friendship Group at the Presidential Office Nov. 1 in Taipei City and pledged to deepen cooperation with the European Union to create more resilient democratic supply chains.
Led by the group’s vice chair, Andrey Kovatchev from Bulgaria, the delegation also comprises Ivan Stefanec from Slovakia and Leopoldo Lopez Gil from Spain.
According to Tsai, the visit marks the third consecutive year the EP has sent an official group to Taiwan, which is a testament to its staunch support. The president also took the opportunity to thank the legislative body for passing resolutions to enhance ties between Taiwan and the EU in recent years.
Taiwan and the EU both value freedom and democracy, Tsai said, adding that the two sides continue to share experiences and exchanges in areas spanning technology, trade and regional security as the world faces authoritarian expansion and global economic challenges.
The president also said that Taiwan is a valuable and reliable semiconductor technology partner for the EU in light of the political entity’s recent European Chips Act, which took effect in September. Tsai further expressed hopes for the delegation members’ continued support for the signing of a bilateral investment agreement.
In response, Kovatchev said bolstering political, economic, and people-to-people relations with Taiwan is in the EU’s best interest and affirmed the benefit of bilateral investment. Describing Taiwan as a key partner, he urged the EU to strengthen its collaboration with Taiwan in such fields as digital technology and renewable energy.
Any attempts to alter the status quo through force is opposed, Kovatchev said, adding that Taiwan should be included in international organizations like the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, Interpol and the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
from Taiwan Today – Top News