In a report issued by the European External Action Service (EEAS) on Saturday 13 January, the European Union welcomed the elections held in Taiwan on the same day and congratulated all the voters who took part in this democratic exercise.
The incumbent vice-president, Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), historically the party closest to separatist positions, won the elections with 40.1% of the vote.
“Our respective systems of governance are based on a shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law and human rights”, explained the EEAS.
However, the EU made it clear that peace and stability were essential to regional and global security. It remains concerned about the growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and has reaffirmed its opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)