TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Engagement between Taiwan and the EU has surged in recent years as geopolitical tensions with China and Russia reshape strategic thinking, Nikkei Asia reported Tuesday.
A Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS) report showed interactions rising from 58 in 2019 to more than 300 in 2024, with a peak of 369 in 2022. The tally includes official visits, agreements, and economic and cultural exchanges.
Mutual visits alone rose more than sixfold, reflecting a shift from discreet contacts to more formal engagement. However, the report noted that ministerial-level meetings remain rare and are limited to less politically sensitive areas such as education and science.
Analysts say stronger EU ties are critical for Taiwan as it seeks to counter diplomatic isolation and pressure from China. For Europe, Taiwan is increasingly viewed as a democratic partner that can help secure supply chains amid tensions with Beijing and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Momentum was highlighted last month when Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) attended a meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China at the European Parliament. Hsiao became the first senior Taiwanese official to speak inside the chamber.
Since taking office in May, Lin has visited eight European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, and Lithuania, an active schedule for a Taiwanese foreign minister. Such travel is typically constrained by diplomatic pressure from China on European governments.
The report identified France and Germany as long-standing drivers of engagement, alongside newer partners such as the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Poland. It said other countries maintain pragmatic economic ties while avoiding overt political engagement, while several, including Greece and Ireland, lag behind.
Taiwan’s outreach also faces uncertainty from shifting political landscapes across Europe, where elections can quickly alter policy direction. Slovakia, for example, halted formal economic consultations with Taiwan after a pro-China government took power in 2023.
CEIAS Executive Director Matej Simalcik said Taiwan should take a long-term approach and avoid abandoning ties during political downturns. He urged broader engagement beyond top officials, including opposition parties and local governments.
“Closer ties can thus help both sides to strengthen economic resilience, develop new non-red supply chains for critical technologies, and improve defenses against foreign interference,” he added.
