Thread by @zsuzsettte

.@europarl is in the process of tabling its 1st ever stand-alone report on #Taiwan.
🧵 to unpack its importance: Report is solid indication EP is pushing Brussels to consider upgrading EU-Taiwan ties. But what ‘upgrade’ entails hangs on level of convergence between member states

The push is backed by a majority of MEPs, led by @bueti @gahler_michael @rglucks1 & more, with shared interest to ensure shift in Brussels on #China is real. This shift has already facilitated reconsidering ties w/Taiwan as a partner, not a ‘sensitive issue’

For now, having a report is more important than its actual content. BUT, report must be a core element of a strategic debate on Taiwan within Europe, which 1. sees TW on its own merit, not only through the lens of China;

2. is rooted in the EU’s understanding that it has its own interests to protect in the Indo-Pacific; 3. seeks to strengthen internal convergence on TW by building on & expanding existing bilateral cooperation;

4. seeks to strengthen cooperation w/like-minded partners to help Taiwan’s participation in relevant platforms and working groups on critical technology & pandemic prevention, such as within Quad; 5. helps the EU’s approach to the Indo-Pacific be truly inclusive.

Report to be put up for vote in AFET in July, plenary in Sept. With Commission suspending #CAI (or not; the political outreach but not technical preparations 🤷🏻‍♀️), expect these events shape debate on TW, the report’s content & weight, but also expect MEPs to speak their truth.

Re-sharing my recent publication w/recommendations on how to reconceptualize and upgrade ties with #Taiwan via @FRS_org frstrategie.org/en/programs/ta…
cc @TaiwanEU @MOFA_Taiwan @grzegorzewskif @NextGenTaiwan @9DashLine