President Tsai calls for enhanced Taiwan-EU ties at Europe Day Dinner

2023/05/29

President Tsai Ing-wen said May 25 that Taiwan is committed to strengthening its resilience while continuing to work with the EU across the board.
 
The relationship between Taiwan and Europe has continued to grow over the past few years, Tsai said, citing Taiwan’s inclusion in the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific launched in 2021, as well as the European Chips Act passed by the European Parliament earlier this year.
 
These are complemented by Taiwan’s Central and Eastern Europe Investment Fund established by the Cabinet-level National Development Council last year, which has reinforced collaboration in strategic industries such as biotechnology and electric vehicles, and an initiative launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier this year that provides 10 million euros over three years to deepen semiconductor cooperation with Lithuania.
 
Tsai made the remarks while attending the Europe Day Dinner in Taipei City. The event involved officials from Taiwan including Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu and Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua, as well as Filip Grzegorzewski, head of the European Economic and Trade Office, and Giuseppe Izzo, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan.
 
The government’s Six Core Strategic Industries and net-zero emissions policies align with the EU’s Green Deal and digital strategy, Tsai said, adding that investment by companies in Europe is crucial to the country’s offshore wind power sector.
 
According to Tsai, last year saw unprecedented backing for Taiwan from EU member states, as evidenced by over 30 motions, resolutions and statements greenlighted by parliaments. Numerous delegations from Europe also visited Taiwan this year, Tsai said, who took the opportunity to thank leaders such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative Josep Borrell for voicing support for peace and stability in the region.
 
Last year trade between Taiwan and Europe totaled US$92 billion, while cumulative Taiwan investment by European businesses exceeded US$55 billion, making the EU the largest source of foreign investment in the country, Tsai said. It is hoped the two sides can negotiate a bilateral investment agreement to ensure economic ties remain strong, she added.
 
The two sides have a shared respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law, Tsai said, adding that the collective strength of Taiwan and European nations will help them build a more secure and prosperous future.


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)