by Francis Tuschek, Staff Writer
On Thursday, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) emphasized the need for international collaboration to safeguard democratic institutions during a visit by former president Tsai Ing-wen to the European Parliament in Brussels.
Miriam Lexmann, a Slovakian MEP, stated at a reception for Tsai, attended by approximately 50 MEPs, that each European nation has the sovereign right to establish ties with Taiwan. She labeled China as “the biggest threat to global peace and security,” advocating for cooperative efforts among allies to defend democratic institutions and enhance economic development in a complex geopolitical landscape.
After the reception, Lexmann told the Central News Agency that the EU must not allow Beijing to exploit the “one China policy” to hinder the bloc’s engagement with Taiwan. A member of the Slovakian Christian Democratic Movement and the European People’s Party, Lexmann was among those sanctioned by the Chinese government in 2021 in retaliation for the EU’s measures against Chinese officials over human rights abuses.
German MEP Engin Eroglu, chair of the European Parliament’s China Delegation, took to social media post-reception to affirm that Taiwan is “a true partner to the EU,” insisting that the EU must do everything possible to avert military conflict in the region. He committed to ongoing support for Taiwan and strengthening their partnership based on shared democratic values.
In her speech, Tsai asserted that peace cannot be won through capitulation to authoritarian aggression or by compromising sovereignty. She called for the global democratic community to unite against Beijing’s “maritime and airspace incursions,” which she claimed threaten the stability of the Taiwan Strait.
Tsai expressed Taiwan’s eagerness to enhance its global connections, offering to share its expertise in areas like economic and technological development, public health, and combating disinformation. She stressed Taiwan’s role as a vital and reliable partner in improving global supply chains and economic security.
She urged the European Parliament and EU member states to continue supporting Taiwan’s meaningful involvement in international organizations. Tsai’s visit to Brussels marked her first appearance at the European Parliament since leaving office in May and concluded her week-long European tour, which also included stops in the Czech Republic and France.
Following a meeting with Tsai, Czech Senator Pavel Fischer urged his government to adopt a firmer stance towards China. He noted on Facebook that discussions with Tsai centered on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, economics, and education between Taiwan and the Czech Republic. Fischer stressed the interconnectedness of security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions, calling for a tougher approach to China’s “unacceptable behavior” toward Taiwan, including summoning China’s ambassador to express concerns.
The Czech government has pledged to reassess its relations with China, although no additional details on the review process have been provided.
