EU Passes Taiwan-EU Cooperation Report 歐洲議會高票通過 台歐盟合作報告案

The European Parliament has passed a report on enhancing Taiwan-EU relations, including the possible signing of a bilateral investment agreement and to change the name of its office in Taipei. 

The European Parliament's Strasbourg Plenary Session passed the Taiwan-EU Political Relations and Cooperation report with 580 votes in favor, 26 votes against, and 66 abstentions on the 20th. The report supports the comprehensive improvement of bilateral political relations between Taiwan and the EU. This is the first resolution made by the European Parliament on the relationship between the EU and Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its sincere gratitude for this.

Voice of Joanne Ou, Spokesperson, MOFA："The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes this report and expresses a high degree of sincere gratitude to the European Parliament for approving the Report on Political Relations and Cooperation between Taiwan and the EU with high votes, which is the first official document between the two parties in history. At the same time, we want to pay tribute to Charlie Weimers, who drafted this report. MOFA is convinced this report will enhance bilateral relations and set a new milestone for the future of Taiwan and EU relations."

This report recommends that the EU should work closely with member states to strengthen political relations between Taiwan and the EU. The Union regards Taiwan as a key partner and democratic ally in the Indo-Pacific region, and Taiwan-EU exchanges should be upgraded to a comprehensive partnership. In addition, the report also recommends that the "European Economic and Trade Office" be renamed the "European Office in Taiwan." The European Parliament is also seriously concerned about China's continued military threats to Taiwan and calls on China to immediately stop the air intrusions. The EU attaches great importance to the security of the Taiwan Strait. In particular, if China takes action against Taiwan and the South China Sea, it will have serious consequences for EU-China relations. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that this action seriously violates the "One China" principle.

Wang Wenbin, Spokesperson, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs："The report passed by the European Parliament seriously violates the basic norms of international relations and the One China principle. It also seriously violates the EU's public promise made regarding the Taiwan issue. China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this."

Wang also stated that the European Parliament should immediately stop its actions that undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stop provocations and confrontations. He also warned "Taiwan authorities" seeking respect from foreigners would ultimately be a dead end. 

歐洲議會史特拉斯堡全會，20號以580票贊成、26票反對、66票棄權，通過「台歐盟政治關係暨合作」報告，支持全面提升台歐盟雙邊政治關係；這是歐洲議會針對歐盟與台灣關係，所做出的第一份決議，我國外交部對此表示由衷感謝。

外交部發言人 歐江安表示：「外交部對歐洲議會高票通過，史上第一份，台歐盟政治關係跟合作報告，我們表達高度的歡迎跟誠摯感謝。同時，我們也向報告的，起草人魏莫斯致敬。外交部深信這份報告，能夠為未來台歐盟，提升雙邊關係奠定新的里程碑。

這份報告建議歐盟，應與會員國密切合作，強化台歐盟政治關係，歐盟視台灣為在印太地區的關鍵夥伴及民主盟友，台歐盟交流應提昇至全面夥伴關係。此外、報告同時建議將「歐洲經貿辦事處」，更名為「歐盟駐台辦事處」，以反映台歐盟密切合作的雙邊實質關係。歐洲議會同時嚴正關切中國持續對台灣軍事威脅，尤其中國10月初派遣超過150架軍機入侵我國防空識別區(ADIZ)，呼籲中國立刻停止侵擾行徑。此外、歐洲議會強調，歐盟極為重視台灣海峽的安全，呼籲歐盟及會員國積極與國際理念相近夥伴促進台海和平穩定，尤其如果中國對台灣及南海採取行動，將對歐中關係產生嚴重後果。中國外交部則再度重申，此舉嚴重違反「一個中國」原則。

中國外交部發言人 汪文斌表示：「歐洲議會通過的上述報告，嚴重違反國際關係基本准則，嚴重違反一個中國原則，嚴重違反歐盟在台灣問題上，作出的公開承諾，性質和影響惡劣，中方對此表示，強烈譴責和堅決反對。」

汪文斌還表示，歐洲議會應立即停止，損害中國主權和領土完整的言行，停止挑釁和對抗；並正告「台灣當局」，企圖挾洋自重，最終必是死路一條。