Taiwan is committed to deepening its partnership with Europe while safeguarding freedom and democracy for the people of both sides, according to President Tsai Ing-wen Nov. 4.
Exchanges between Taiwan and Europe are of great global interest, Tsai said. Case in point are the recent visits to Europe of Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu and the European Parliament’s approval of the Taiwan-EU Political Relations and Cooperation report, she added.
Tsai made the remarks while receiving a seven-member delegation of EP lawmakers led by Raphael Glucksmann of France, chair of the EP Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation (INGE).
According to Tsai, the government is sparing no efforts in working with like-minded partners to combat hybrid threats and disarm disinformation. This is evidenced by a memorandum of understanding on cybersecurity cooperation inked by Taiwan and Czechia last month, as well as relevant multilateral workshops under the Taiwan-U.S. Global Cooperation and Training Framework, she said.
One example of the successful GCTF initiative, Tsai said, is the workshop for Europe on resetting global supply chains staged two months ago in Prague. Taiwan is willing and able to share its experiences across the board while strengthening relations with the EU, she added.
In response, Glucksmann praised Taiwan’s democratic achievements and described the country as a treasure for democracies to cherish. Taiwan is not alone, he said, adding that Europe will stand with the country in safeguarding the shared values of freedom, respect for human rights and rule of law.
Taiwan has successfully developed measures to counter threats against its democracy without impinging upon the development of a robust civil society and open media environment, Glucksmann said. As Europe is also facing interference from authoritarian regimes, the delegation is eager to learn from Taiwan’s experience, he added.
Democracies must work together in the global contest between the liberal democratic order and the authoritarian alternative, Glucksmann said, adding that the visit of the delegation is expected to lay the groundwork for high-level official exchanges going forward. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw