Remarks by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini expressing the union’s commitment to enhancing cooperation and exchanges with Taiwan were welcomed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oct. 17.
 
Taiwan looks forward to working with EU member states in advancing economic growth, prosperity and stability in Asia and Europe based on the shared values of freedom, democracy, open and fair markets and sustainability, the MOFA said.
 
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the ministry added that “#Taiwan & the #EU are like-minded partners committed to creating more opportunities for business, people-to-people & technology exchanges for the benefit of both sides & economies throughout the #AsiaPacific.”



The statements came a day after Mogherini penned an op-ed titled “Connecting Asia-Pacific and Europe” in a local newspaper outlining the EU’s new strategy to improve comprehensive and rules-based links between the regions.
 
In the piece, Mogherini also highlighted growing Taiwan-EU education and tourism exchanges and business collaboration, such as the involvement of local chipmakers in the union’s Galileo GPS project. She wrote that the EU hopes to enhance such cooperation toward the development of a modern, interconnected infrastructure.
 
According to the MOFA, there is great potential for expanding tie-ups across the key areas identified in the new EU Asia-Europe Connectivity strategy, including diversified transportation networks, digital economy, energy and people-to-people exchanges.
 
This is evidenced by bilateral trade soaring to record highs over the past two years as well as extensive participation by European companies in Taiwan’s four-year wind power promotion plan. The project aims to raise the nation’s installed turbine capacity to 1.334 gigawatts by 2020, with the Ministry of Economic Affairs selecting three EU firms to construct offshore wind farms.
 
Cooperation between Taiwan and the EU extends beyond the economic realm, the ministry said, noting that the two sides staged their first consultation meetings on human rights and labor affairs in March in Taipei and October in Brussels, respectively.
 
Taiwan looks forward to expanding dialogue on these issues as well as commencing negotiations on a bilateral investment agreement, the MOFA said. Such an accord would deepen the win-win partnership by bolstering trade links and increasing foreign direct investment, the ministry added. (KWS-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw