December 1, 2022
no. 361
The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on November 30 voted to approve the annual implementation reports of the European Union (EU) Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Emphasizing that Taiwan is a key EU partner and democratic ally in the Indo-Pacific region, the reports call on the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to establish strategic cooperation with Taiwan, including through high-level economic, scientific, cultural, and political interactions; the prompt launch of preparatory measures for a bilateral investment agreement; the strengthening of cooperation on supply chain resilience; joint efforts to counter disinformation and foreign interference; and the establishment of a comprehensive enhanced partnership with Taiwan. Furthermore, the Committee calls on the EU and its member states to cooperate with international partners in helping sustain Taiwan’s freedom, democracy, and international participation. It strongly condemns China’s continued military provocations against Taiwan, reiterates its firm rejection of any unilateral changes to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, and calls on China to cease all activities that pose a threat to regional stability, which it says have a direct impact on European security and prosperity.
The two resolutions on the CFSP and the CSDP once again demonstrate the Foreign Affairs Committee’s strong support for a free and democratic Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely welcomes and earnestly appreciates this support, which is of great significance to the government and people of Taiwan.
The European Parliament proposes overall recommendations and makes resolutions on the EU CFSP and CSDP implementation reports every year. The resolutions are drafted by the Foreign Affairs Committee’s rapporteur and approved by the members of the Committee before being sent to Strasbourg to be voted on by all members of the European Parliament. MOFA looks forward to the two resolutions and their provisions relating to Taiwan being passed successfully at the plenary session of the European Parliament to be held in Strasbourg in January 2023. It also looks forward to continuing to deepen Taiwan-EU cooperation and exchanges in all fields and to further expanding the solid Taiwan-EU partnership based on the shared values of freedom and democracy. (E)