Taiwan wants to deepen its partnership with the European Union, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen told European parliamentarians on Tuesday during a delegation visit to the country.
In addition to strengthening economic ties, Taiwan also seeks to form a resilient democratic alliance with the European Union, Ing-wen said.
«Taiwan wants to enhance bilateral economic and trade exchanges, strengthen supply chain security and accelerate progress on the Taiwan-EU bilateral investment agreement,» the president has stressed to a seven-member delegation from the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee (INTA) in Taipei.
The leader has asserted that Taiwan and the EU are important trading partners, citing 32 percent growth in bilateral trade in 2021, despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Tsai has also expressed her gratitude to the European Parliament for passing more than 10 resolutions supporting Taiwan this year.
These include resolutions endorsing Taiwan’s international engagement, expressing concern for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and urging the EU to engage with Taiwan in areas such as green technology and the digital economy.
«Today’s world is facing increasing authoritarian expansionism. Taiwan is willing and able to strengthen its democratic partners around the world,» the president said.
During the meeting, INTA Vice President Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou said that the EU-Taiwan partnership rests on a solid foundation of shared values, such as democracy, freedom and Human Rights.
She also applauded Taiwan’s measured and responsible reaction to China’s increasing and unprovoked aggressions and provocations.
Taiwan is an autonomous democracy and has considered itself independent since the 1940s. Beijing rejects official contacts between countries and Taiwan, as it considers the democratic island republic part of China. Tensions have escalated in recent months.
«The EU recognizes that our partnership in trade and investment with Taiwan is a strategic relationship with geopolitical implications,» Asimakopoulou said.
Also, she has stressed the importance of collaboration in relation to global supply chains, as Taiwan plays a leading role in the semiconductor industry.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
