Taiwan given prominent role in European Parliament resolution: Diplomat

Taiwan was given a prominent role in a European Parliament resolution, with the measure mentioning Taiwan 44 times and urging rejection of “any coercive unilateral change” to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. A Taiwanese diplomat said the resolution, titled “Recommendation on the changing geopolitical situation in East Asia and the need for closer cooperation with like-minded partners in the region,” was passed Tuesday by the 720-seat legislature with 542 votes in favor, 37 against and 79 abstentions, according to CNA. It describes Taiwan as a “reliable key democratic partner” sharing EU values such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights and commitment to multilateralism. The text also calls for EU institutions to deliver coordinated messaging about “significant political and economic costs” for coercive unilateral actions and to resolve differences peacefully through dialogue and international law. The resolution further references freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific and urges contingency planning to prevent escalation, potentially including blockade scenarios.