President Lai urges signing of economic pact with EU

Taipei, May 27 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Tuesday called on the European Parliament to support the signing of an economic partnership agreement (EPA) between Taiwan and the European Union, citing the potential for enhanced economic security.

An EPA would "not only yield mutually beneficial win-win developments but also consolidate economic security and boost international competitiveness on both sides," Lai said during a meeting in Taipei with European Parliament members Reinis Pozņaks and Beatrice Timgren.

Highlighting the strong complementarities between Taiwan and the EU in areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence and green energy, Lai said that through "our joint efforts, we can create more resilient democratic supply chains and further contribute to global prosperity and development."

Taiwan has been calling for an economic deal with the EU since the tenure of Lai's predecessor Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), underscoring Taipei's desire to deepen economic and trade ties with Europe.

While the European Parliament has voiced support for negotiating an EPA with Taiwan in recent years, the European Commission has remained hesitant on the issue.

During the meeting at the Presidential Office, Lai also thanked the European Parliament for recent resolutions reaffirming support for Taiwan amid ongoing "provocative military actions" from China, and for recognizing Taiwan as a key democratic partner in the Indo-Pacific.

Pozņaks, reflecting on his home country Latvia's own experience with its "large, aggressive neighbor," expressed solidarity with Taiwan and stressed the importance of democracies uniting to defend the rule of law.

Seeing China and Russia as playing from the same playbook through disinformation attacks, Pozņaks said it was "crucial for all democracies around the world to stick together and protect our freedoms, values and democracy."

Timgren echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of close ties between democratic nations in the face of authoritarian threats, adding that such demonstration of unity would be "part of [our] defense."

During their visit from Sunday to May 30, the parliamentarians are also scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), as well as representatives from Taiwan's Legislature, civil society groups and think tanks, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

On Tuesday, Lai also urged more cooperation beyond Europe during a separate meeting with a delegation led by Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero of Guam, who is on a seven-day visit to Taiwan from Sunday to May 31.

"The world is rapidly changing and tensions in the Indo-Pacific continue to rise. But if we combine our strengths, come together as one, and enhance cooperation, we can maintain peace, stability and prosperity in our region," Lai said.

He added that Taiwan looked forward to working with Guam and the United States to further strengthen economic ties and explore more opportunities for industrial cooperation.