Several dozen MEPs from various European countries are calling for the EU to negotiate an investment agreement with Taiwan, which is under pressure from China. "Taiwan is a key partner and democratic ally in the Indo-Pacific," they write in a letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Charles Michel.

The 35 signatories include the Green MEP Reinhard Bütikofer and the deputy leader of the FDP parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Gyde Jensen.

Deepening relations "with our democratic Taiwanese friends" would not only be beneficial for both sides, the parliamentarians argued. This is also "of geo-economic importance" as the EU is heavily dependent on advanced semiconductors from Taiwan. They called for the start of a "structured dialogue" on a bilateral investment agreement that would include cooperation in "green technology", resilient supply chains and the digital economy, including semiconductors.

MEPs: China's 'ongoing provocations'

The parliamentarians emphasized that further development of the EU partnership with Taiwan is particularly important in view of the "ongoing provocations" by the People's Republic of China. The Chinese leadership regards free Taiwan as part of the communist People's Republic and is threatening to conquer it. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, concerns have grown that Beijing too might one day carry out its threats. The Chinese leadership is also trying to isolate Taiwan internationally.

During a visit by EU Parliament Vice President Nicola Beer (FDP) to Taiwan in July, the island republic spoke out in favor of more cooperation with the EU in view of the threat posed by China. President Tsai Ing-wen also underlined the readiness for a bilateral investment agreement with the EU.