By Kelvin Chen, Taiwan News — Thursday 21 October 2021
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The European Parliament has unanimously approved its first-ever report on EU-Taiwan relations during a plenary session on Wednesday evening 20th October. The report, titled “EU-Taiwan Relations and Cooperation,” was passed with 580 votes in favour, 26 against, and 66 abstentions. Following the vote, MEP Charlie Weimers of Sweden, who created the report, said: “The European Parliament’s first report on EU-Taiwan relations demonstrates that the EU is ready to upgrade its relationship with our key partner Taiwan. The Commission must now intensify EU-Taiwan relations and pursue a comprehensive enhanced partnership with Taiwan.”
The report points out the EU’s concerns over China’s sustained military aggression, coercion, military drills, air defence identification zone violations, and disinformation campaigns against Taiwan. By voting in favour, parliament members urged the EU to do more to address growing tension in the Taiwan Strait, protect Taiwan’s democracy, and affirm the country’s status as an important EU partner. The report also called for the renaming of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan to the “European Union Office in Taiwan,” and the commencement of investment agreement procedures. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the report and expressed gratitude to the European Parliament, saying it is convinced the report “will set a new milestone for the future promotion of bilateral relations between Taiwan and the EU.”