TAIPEI, Taiwan – In a significant address on July 27 at the 31st ASEAN Regional Forum, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, underscored the EU’s vested interest in ensuring peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) welcomed Borrell’s reaffirmation of the EU’s stance against any unilateral efforts to alter the status quo through force or coercion, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding cross-strait peace.
Borrell expressed serious concern regarding escalating tensions in the South China Sea, highlighting its status as a focal point of global competition. He warned that conflicts in this region could lead to consequences far exceeding those of the ongoing crisis in the Red Sea.
The High Representative called on all nations to de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea, advocating for solutions in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This position aligns with Taiwan’s dedication to resolving disputes peacefully.
MOFA firmly stated, “Taiwan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force and condemns the rise of grey-zone tactics and military coercion in the South China Sea. Such actions harm regional peace and stability and undermine the international maritime order based on law and UNCLOS. Taiwan remains committed to collaborating with regional allies and like-minded nations to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
EU-ASEAN Relations: Address by High Representative Josep Borrell at the 31st ASEAN Regional Forum
