European lawmakers handed Taiwan President Lai Ching-te a statement backing cooperation on critical-technology supply chains and undersea-cable risks, putting infrastructure resilience on the agenda of Taiwan-Europe parliamentary ties.
Latvian member of the European Parliament Rihards Kols presented the document for the visiting delegation on Wednesday, the Presidential Office said. Kols was acting chair of the Formosa Club’s 2026 Taipei meeting.
The 2026 gathering brought 49 lawmakers representing the European Parliament and legislatures in 19 European countries to Taipei. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said the meeting and related events ran from Oct. 24-28.
MOFA said the statement called for trusted, resilient supply chains across artificial intelligence, drones, unmanned systems, advanced semiconductors and other critical technologies. The document also supported Taiwan’s RISK Management Initiative on International Undersea Cables, which Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung proposed in 2025.
On political issues, MOFA said the statement voiced concern over China’s National Unity and Progress Promotion Law and opposed unilateral changes to the Taiwan Strait status quo. It also backed Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and mechanisms.
The Formosa Club was established in 2019 and has served as a bridge between Taiwan and Europe, the Presidential Office said. MOFA said this was the club’s second annual meeting in Taipei, after its first one there in 2025.
The Presidential Office said Kols cited military intimidation, economic coercion, disinformation and cross-border repression as challenges to democratic societies. He said cooperation could strengthen Taiwan’s and Europe’s security and prosperity.
Lai told the lawmakers Taiwan would direct more resources to defense and continue improving its ability to protect itself. He referred to Ukraine and the Taiwan Strait as he said “peace comes through strength,” and called for backing from democratic partners, the Presidential Office said.
Kols called the statement a reflection of “friendship built over time,” according to the Presidential Office.
