TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The new European Economic and Trade Office head Lutz Guellner assumed his role on Sunday (Sept. 1). 

Guellner said in a Facebook post that he was happy to begin his new position as the EU representative to Taiwan. 

“I can’t wait to learn more about the beautiful island of Taiwan and the people here,” he said. The diplomat said he had worked with Taiwanese at his former job at the European External Action Service.

Guellner emphasized that Taiwan and the EU are “like-minded partners” despite the distance between them. “We want to further strengthen our friendly relations and close cooperation with Taiwan.”

Filip Grzegorzewski left the position in July after serving for five years.

Taiwan and the EU are close partners in technology, health, and energy cooperation and have robust economic ties. In 2020, Taiwan became the EU's 14th trading partner, while the EU is Taiwan's largest foreign investor, according to its website.

In March, an EU parliamentary delegation led by lawmaker Reinhard Butikofer visited Taiwan, where they reiterated the European Parliament’s support for the country and continued bilateral cooperation. 

The EU has underscored the importance of a peaceful resolution to cross-strait issues and opposed unilateral changes to the regional status quo on many occasions.