The Taiwan Strait is one of the three most challenging places in the world, according to the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell. He spoke to MEPs on Tuesday 13 September about the situation in Taiwan. Two days later, the elected representatives adopted a resolution (424 votes in favour, 14 against and 46 abstentions) in which they condemned all hostile measures against the island.
In the resolution, they call on “the Government of the PRC to refrain from any measures which could destabilise the Taiwan Strait and regional security”. China conducted several intimidating military exercises around Taiwan in August, following a visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
MEPs condemn this type of intimidation. “We will continue to visit Taiwan, invite Taiwanese parliamentarians, etc.,” insisted Reinhard Bütikofer (Greens/EFA, German), chair of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with China, in the 13 September debate.
The European Commission and the Parliament agree on the position to be taken: the status quo on the island must be maintained, the commitment to the “one China principle” must be reiterated, and de-escalation must be encouraged. However, they still need to agree on the exact steps to be taken.
MEPs believe that support for Taiwan should be reaffirmed as much as possible and that economic ties should be strengthened. They reiterate their call to the Commission to undertake the impact assessment, public consultation and scoping study on the EU-Taiwan bilateral investment agreement (see EUROPE 13012/12).
The European Parliament also calls on the EU to take a stronger role with regard to the situation in Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region (see EUROPE 13013/11).
See the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/335 (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)