EU-Taiwan Relations: What Lies Ahead

 

 

Between 2008 and 2020 Zsuzsa worked at the European Parliament as a political advisor, an experience that has contributed to her research on EU-Taiwan ties. In her book she explores how global dynamics, in particular the China-Russia strategic alignment, are shaping EU-Taiwan relations in the framework of the Indo-Pacific.

 

A new reality, in which China has supported Russian aggression in the heart of Europe, has shaped the writing process. The China-Russia factor cannot and should not be ignored when exploring EU-Taiwan relations because of the complexity of the challenge the two present to global peace and security. In addition to celebrating their like-mindedness, the EU and Taiwan also share important interests. The EU is highly dependent on trade with the Indo-Pacific region, but has had limited capabilities to protect its interests and limited political will to improve these. ASEAN is a key partner for both Taiwan and Europe. Brussels has secured a place for “Taiwan as a partner” in its political discourse.

 

Ultimately, however, beyond a Taiwan-friendly European Parliament and a more assertive European Commission, it is the extent to which member states are willing to engage Taiwan and push back against an assertive China that matters most. So far, member states’ political will has been half-hearted only." Join Dr. Ferenczy as we dive deeper into this.

 

 

Dr. Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy is Affiliated Scholar at the Department of Political Science of Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Associated Research Fellow at the Institute for Security & Development Policy (ISDP Stockholm), Head of the Associates Network at 9DASHLINE and Fellow at Agora Strategy, Munich. Based in Taiwan, Zsuzsa is Assistant Professor at the National Dong Hwa University in Hualien. Between 2008 and 2020 Zsuzsa worked as a political advisor in the European Parliament. Her latest book, “Partners in Peace. Why Europe and Taiwan Matter to Each Other” was published in October 2024. Zsuzsa is a regular commentator in international media outlets.