Fri, Mar 01, 2024 page1

• European Parliament backs Taiwan

  TWO REPORTS: The body called on EU states to support the meaningful participation of Taiwan in international organizations, as well as closer cooperation with the nation

  • By Liu Tzu-hsuan / Staff reporter
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  The European Parliament has backed deepening ties with Taiwan and voiced concern about heightened tension across the Taiwan Strait in reports on two major security policies, which include a passage denying that Taiwan is subordinate to China.

  The parliament adopted the annual report on the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy in a vote of 338 in favor, 86 against and 122 abstentions during a plenary session from Monday to yesterday.

  It also passed the annual report on the implementation of the Common Security and Defense Policy in a vote of 350 in favor, 91 against and 96 abstentions.

  

  European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, center, speaks at the parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday.

  Photo: AP

  “Neither Taiwan nor China is subordinate to the other” and “only Taiwan’s democratically elected government can represent the Taiwanese people on the international stage,” the foreign and security policy report said.

  It was the first time the annual report has included the text, showing that the parliament “highly affirmed Taiwan’s freedom and democracy,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement yesterday.

  The parliament “strongly condemns” Beijing’s continued military aggressions against Taiwan and “reiterates its firm rejection” of any unilateral change to the cross-strait “status quo,” the report said.

  It also denounced China’s refusal to renounce the use of force against Taiwan, adding that its territorial claims over the nation “have no basis in international law.”

  The parliament called on the European Commission and EU member states to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and “engage in closer cooperation with Taiwan,” such as through visiting and negotiating bilateral investment agreements, the report said.

  It emphasized the need for “preventive diplomacy” regarding the situation in the Taiwan Strait to help avoid escalation and to “sustain democracy in Taiwan.”

  The report on security and defense policy called for “greater coordinated maritime presence and capacity building” in the South China Sea due to Beijing’s provocations, which have endangered the stability and security of the region and beyond.

  To deter such aggression, EU member states should conduct frequent “freedom of navigation operations in the Taiwan Strait and deepen security dialogues with Taiwan,” it said.

  The parliament encouraged cooperation with Taiwan, which has “expertise and technological edge” that can be leveraged against Chinese cyberthreats.

  Separately, the Florida Senate on Wednesday adopted a bill affirming ties with the nation and supporting Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.

  The Senate passed a resolution “expressing appreciation for the sister-state relationship with and bilateral economic and cultural ties between the State of Florida and Taiwan.”

  The resolution commended the nation on completing the presidential and legislative elections on Jan. 13, which demonstrated the “Taiwanese people’s unwavering commitment to sustaining democracy in the shadow of a mighty adversary,” and offered congratulations to the winning candidates.

  As next month marks the 45th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act, it affirmed US-Taiwan ties in economy, tourism and space missions.

  It also voiced support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework to bolster the “already significant trade relationship” between Taiwan and the US.
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