Thread by @zsuzsettte

European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee voted in favour of resolution to upgrade the EU’s relations with #Taiwan. Plenary vote expected in Oct.

🧵 on the main elements of the upgrade, with three main takeaways:

https://twitter.com/EP_ForeignAff/status/1433113060965769219

1/ One, beyond being “concerned”, MEPs call for concrete & practical cooperation to support TW in the context of the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy & urge to include TW into existing platforms & working groups to help bypass China’s attempts to further isolate TW. @bueti

2/ Two, MEPs condemn reaction by Chinese gov of imposing economic sanctions on #Lithuania; express support & solidarity with Lithuania & call on the VP/HR and Council to take appropriate measures @gahler_michael @bueti @MiriamMLex @weimers @ZygisPavilionis @MOFA_Taiwan

3/ Three, MEPs propose to change name of ‘European Economic & Trade Office in TW’ to ‘EU Office in Taiwan’. My take: MEPs’ convergence & language on TW provides solid ground for member states to build on, but they must want to do so for any of this to lead to meaningful progress.

4/ Steps for EU & member states to follow: recognise that peace & stability in Indo-Pacific are core interest for EU & that Taiwan is therefore of strategic importance to the EU;see TW as a key partner & understand the need to protect TW’s democracy & to work w/democratic allies;

5/ see TW on its own merit; acknowledge its central role in strategic industries & urge more cooperation & investment in areas where TW leads; encourage more econ, scientific, cult, pol and people-to-people, city to city exchange;

6/learn from TW’s experience of fighting against #disinformation - bottom-up, transparent & citizen-led; see such threat as part of a larger problem facing all democracies across the globe;

7/ recognise the importance of strengthening #China & #Taiwan expertise in Europe; help raise awareness in Europe about TW .