Taiwan has expertise in the field of advanced computer chips, so with more cooperation with the EU, the democratic alliance could improve supply chain resilency, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) told visiting representatives from the European Parliament in Taipei yesterday.
Bulgarian European Parliament member Andrey Kovatchev is leading a delegation to Taiwan, which includes Ivan Stefanec of Slovakia and Leopoldo Lopez Gil of Spain, who are in the body’s Taiwan Friendship Group.
They arrived in Taiwan on Monday and are to depart on Saturday.
Photo: CNA
Tsai thanked the delegation for the parliament’s long-term support and monitoring of the situation in the Taiwan Strait to uphold regional peace and stability, including by publishing open letters and organizing petitions to back Taiwan’s participation in the international community.
The European Parliament in the past few years has approved resolutions to improve its friendship and economic links with Taiwan, deepening the EU-Taiwan partnership, she said, adding that it is the third straight year that the EU has sent an official delegation to the nation.
“Taiwan and EU share the values of democracy and freedom,” Tsai said.
“We are facing the expansion of authoritarian regimes and changes in economic development around the world,” she said. “Therefore, Taiwan and the EU should continue to share their working experience and promote closer exchanges to expand economic and investment ties, including collaboration in advanced technology industries, to maintain regional security.”
With the European Chips Act approved by the European Parliament in September, Taiwan can undertake enhanced cooperation in semiconductor production and help strengthen its supply chain, she said.
The EU can bolster its semiconductor research and development efforts, and maintain security in the supply and production of computer chips, she added.
“Taiwan has a firm foundation of experience and capability in advanced computer chip manufacturing, so it is a trustworthy partner,” she said.
Both sides look forward to enhanced collaboration and together building a more resilient supply chain in the democratic alliance,” Tsai said, adding that Taiwan desires to sign more bilateral investment agreements.
Kovatchev said that the European Parliament supports Taiwan’s bid to take part in the international community.
It also opposes to any unilateral attempts to change the “status quo” across the Taiwan Strait, he said.
Additional reporting by Yang Yao-ju
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