TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Nathalie Loiseau, chair of European Parliament Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield, praised Taiwan’s efforts to bolster resilience during a press conference on Wednesday.
“We are impressed by this whole-of-society approach,” Loiseau, who is leading an EU parliamentary delegation in Taiwan, told Taiwan News. She noted Taiwan’s comprehensive preparations for all scenarios to protect its democracy and said this was a valuable lesson for the EU. “This is exactly the conversation we are having in Europe right now.”
Loiseau said that Taiwan’s actions closely reflect the recommendations found in former Finnish President Sauli Niinisto’s report last year on enhancing Europe’s civilian and defense preparedness. It was “interesting to see it put in practice,” she said.
Loiseau also said her delegation would highlight “the importance of having Taiwan on the radar” as part of Europe’s Indo-Pacific strategy upon their return. She said that some EU member states and the UK have deployed navy ships to the region, which was a “very positive signal.”
“I’m happy that now we have a security defense agreement between the EU and UK,” she added, which could facilitate closer coordination to establish a regular navy presence near Taiwan.
Loiseau said discussions with top Taiwan government officials during their trip were “very interesting and very trusted.” Topics included information manipulation, cyberattacks, and dealing with cut undersea cables.
The lawmaker said Europe was facing similar gray-zone tactics and hybrid threats and urged more exchanges with like-minded partners like Taiwan.
Loiseau’s comments follow Taiwan’s live-fire segment of the Han Kuang 41 military exercise, which tested the nation’s combat readiness and civilian and military integration.
Taiwan established its Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee last June to bridge the gap between the government and society and facilitate closer cooperation during a national emergency or natural disaster. It convenes once every three months.
