A delegation from the European Parliament’s Special Committee on Disinformation and Foreign Interference in Democratic Processes (INGE) was due to fly to Taipei on Tuesday, November 2, for a three-day visit. Led by Frenchman Raphaël Glucksmann, the group of seven deputies plans to meet several ministers as well as President Tsai Ing-wen.
On October 28, the European Parliament adopted by a very large majority a text of support for Taipei. He calls for a strengthening of relations between the European Union (EU) and Taiwan, with in particular the study, before the end of the year, of a bilateral investment agreement. An old project, never materialized.
MEPs also said to themselves, “Deeply worried” the attitude of “Belligerence” of China vis-à-vis the island. The text called on the EU to “Do more to respond to these tensions and to protect Taiwanese democracy”. Other projects are under consideration, including a larger mission of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
Beijing “increased pressure”
Between its usual divisions and its desire for relative firmness, the EU clarified a little its speech concerning Taiwan two weeks ago. Through Commission Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, who was reading a statement in Strasbourg on behalf of High Representative Josep Borrell, the Commission deplored the “Increased pressure” of Beijing on Taiwan and its military presence in the strait, which is likely to have, indicated Mr.me Vestager, an impact on “Security and prosperity” from Europe.
The Twenty-Seven are particularly worried about their semiconductor supply from the Taiwanese company TSMC. Crucial products, “ essential for industrial development and the Union’s digital transition ”. But the latter is largely dependent on Asia for its supply, and Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton recently visited Japan and South Korea.
In conclusion, Mme Vestager appealed to “Dialogue” and to “The end of unilateral actions that could increase tensions in the strait”. The text specified, addressed to the Chinese authorities, that there was no question of evoking a possible independence of Taiwan, even if the island shares “The same ideas” than Europeans.
Informal meetings
The tension with Beijing, however, has further escalated with the recent visit, in reverse, of Joseph Wu, the Taiwanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Europe. He visited the Czech Republic and Slovakia before addressing, Friday, October 29, by videoconference, the participants of a conference of parliamentarians opposed to the Chinese regime, and gathered in Rome on the sidelines of the G20 meeting. .
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