Taiwan's top diplomat calls on Europe to invest more at security forum

Taipei, Sept. 30 (CNA) Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) called on European countries Monday to invest more in Taiwan, saying that a closer economic partnership between Europe and Taiwan would be mutually beneficial for shared prosperity and innovation.

In the first speech delivered by a Taiwan foreign minister at the Warsaw Security Forum, Lin said Taiwan is a "reliable partner that plays a vital role in enhancing resilient and trusted global supply chains" and "the backbone of the global tech ecosystem" because it produces over 90 percent of the world's most advanced semiconductors.

By partnering with Europe, Taiwan can help amplify Europe's "industrial might and remarkable capacity for innovation," he said.

"I therefore sincerely encourage our European partners and businesses to further deepen their investment in Taiwan," he said.

European investment in Taiwan reached approximately US$1.3 billion in 2024, Lin said, citing 2024 figures, but he believed there is greater potential for expansion.

Aside from his appeal for investment, Lin also hoped Europe will "introduce more pragmatic and forward-looking policies to welcome Taiwan's vibrant and dynamic enterprises as they seek to expand into the European market."

"Such mutual engagement will not only deepen our economic partnership but also serve as a catalyst for our shared prosperity and innovation across both regions," he said.

Through closer economic interaction, Taiwan and Europe can forge a "powerful synergy -- one that fosters a resilient and diversified tech ecosystem and contributes to Europe's strategic reindustrialization," he said.

Turning his focus to geopolitics, Lin said authoritarian regimes such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea have formed an "axis of upheaval" to challenge the rules-based international order.

"As a result, democracies around the world must act in concert to counter the existential and systemic threat."

The foreign minister said democratic Taiwan with its economic strengths can broker "value-creation diplomacy."

"Building on values-based diplomacy, Taiwan seeks to achieve value-creation diplomacy. Based on our shared ideals, we can work together to generate economic value and enduring prosperity for generations to come," he said.

The 12th edition of the Warsaw Security Forum is being held Monday and Tuesday in the capital of Poland, bringing together nearly 2,500 delegates from 80 countries, the forum's website said.