President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday called on the European Parliament to support the signing of an economic partnership agreement (EPA) between Taiwan and the EU, citing the potential for enhanced economic security.
An EPA would “not only yield mutually beneficial win-win developments, but also consolidate economic security and boost international competitiveness on both sides,” Lai said during a meeting in Taipei with European Parliament members Reinis Poznaks and Beatrice Timgren.
Highlighting a strong complementarity between Taiwan and the EU in areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence and green energy, Lai said that through “our joint efforts, we can create more resilient democratic supply chains, and further contribute to global prosperity and development.”
Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office
Taiwan has been calling for an economic deal with the EU since the tenure of Lai’s predecessor, former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), underscoring Taipei’s desire to deepen economic and trade ties with Europe.
While the European Parliament has voiced support for negotiating an EPA with Taiwan, the European Commission has remained hesitant on the issue.
During the meeting at the Presidential Office, Lai also thanked the European Parliament for resolutions reaffirming support for Taiwan amid ongoing “provocative military actions” from China, and for recognizing Taiwan as a key democratic partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office
Poznaks, reflecting on his home nation Latvia’s own experience with its “large, aggressive neighbor,” expressed solidarity with Taiwan and stressed the importance of democracies uniting to defend the rule of law.
Seeing China and Russia as using the same playbook through disinformation attacks, Poznaks said it was “crucial for all democracies around the world to stick together and protect our freedoms, values and democracy.”
Timgren echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of close ties between democratic nations in the face of authoritarian threats, adding that such a demonstration of unity would be “part of [our] defense.”
During their visit from Sunday to Friday, the parliamentarians are also scheduled to meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), as well as representatives from the legislature, civil society groups and think tanks, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Separately yesterday, Lai also urged more cooperation beyond Europe during a separate meeting with a delegation led by Guam Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero, who is on a seven-day visit to Taiwan this week.
“The world is rapidly changing and tensions in the Indo-Pacific continue to rise, but if we combine our strengths, come together as one and enhance cooperation, we can maintain peace, stability and prosperity in our region,” Lai said.
He added that Taiwan looked forward to working with Guam and the US to further strengthen economic ties and explore more opportunities for industrial cooperation.
MISINFORMATION: The generated content tends to adopt China’s official stance, such as ‘Taiwan is currently governed by the Chinese central government,’ the NSB said Five China-developed artificial intelligence (AI) language models exhibit cybersecurity risks and content biases, an inspection conducted by the National Security Bureau (NSB) showed. The five AI tools are: DeepSeek, Doubao (豆包), Yiyan (文心一言), Tongyi (通義千問) and Yuanbao (騰訊元寶), the bureau said, advising people to remain vigilant to protect personal data privacy and corporate business secrets. The NSB said it, in accordance with the National Intelligence Services Act (國家情報工作法), has reviewed international cybersecurity reports and intelligence, and coordinated with the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau and the National Police Agency’s Criminal Investigation Bureau to conduct an inspection of China-made AI language
BOOST IN CONFIDENCE: The sale sends a clear message of support for Taiwan and dispels rumors that US President Donald Trump ‘sold out’ the nation, an expert said The US government on Thursday announced a possible sale to Taiwan of fighter jet parts, which was estimated to cost about US$330 million, in a move that an expert said “sends a clear message of support for Taiwan” amid fears that Washington might be wavering in its attitude toward Taipei. It was the first announcement of an arms sale to Taiwan since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House earlier this year. The proposed package includes non-standard components, spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories, as well repair and return support for the F-16, C-130 and Indigenous Defense Fighter aircraft,
CHECKING BOUNDARIES: China wants to disrupt solidarity among democracies and test their red lines, but it is instead pushing nations to become more united, an expert said The US Department of State on Friday expressed deep concern over a Chinese public security agency’s investigation into Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) for “secession.” “China’s actions threaten free speech and erode norms that have underpinned the cross-strait ‘status quo’ for decades,” a US Department of State spokesperson said. The Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau late last month listed Shen as “wanted” and launched an investigation into alleged “secession-related” criminal activities, including his founding of the Kuma Academy, a civil defense organization that prepares people for an invasion by China. The spokesperson said that the US was “deeply concerned” about the bureau investigating Shen
‘TROUBLEMAKER’: Most countries believe that it is China — rather than Taiwan — that is undermining regional peace and stability with its coercive tactics, the president said China should restrain itself and refrain from being a troublemaker that sabotages peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks after China Coast Guard vessels sailed into disputed waters off the Senkaku Islands — known as the Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台) in Taiwan — following a remark Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made regarding Taiwan. Takaichi during a parliamentary session on Nov. 7 said that a “Taiwan contingency” involving a Chinese naval blockade could qualify as a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, and trigger Tokyo’s deployment of its military for defense. Asked about the escalating tensions
RSS