President Lai Ching-te addressed the 2024 European Union Investment Forum Nov. 18 in Taipei City and expressed hope of expanding trade ties with the EU to strengthen the resilience and security of both economies while ensuring the stability of global supply chains.
According to the Presidential Office, the event was organized by the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan. Notable participants included EETO Head Lutz Güllner, European Commission Deputy Director-General for Trade Maria Martin-Prat and members of the foreign diplomatic corps stationed in Taiwan.
Lai said Taiwan and the EU are indispensable strategic partners who share the values of freedom and democracy. Now more than ever the two sides must stand in unity given the threat of expanding authoritarianism, he added.
The president praised advancements in bilateral ties in recent years, citing the Taiwan-Europe Connectivity Initiative, Central and Eastern Europe Credit Fund and expanding cooperation in the semiconductor industry. Last year Taiwan initiated 22 new investment projects in the EU with a total value topping US$4.9 billion, an impressive growth of 750 percent over 2022, he said, adding that such positive developments have helped expand partnership in high tech, green energy and other sectors.
Lai also stressed the importance of signing a Taiwan-EU economic partnership agreement to deepen mutually beneficial collaboration and establish an institutional basis for further cooperation in key sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, digital tech, environmental protection, green energy and more.
The president took the opportunity to thank the EU and European countries for taking concrete action to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait. While the EU is actively engaged in Indo-Pacific affairs, Taiwan will continue to supply humanitarian aid to Ukraine while working hand in hand with European nations for mutual prosperity and growth, he said.
Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)
