Czech policy towards Taiwan and its possible influence on the European Parliament
Between the notion of strengthening ties with Taiwan as part of the Czech Strategy for Cooperation with the Indo-Pacific from 2022, an unprecedented phone call between the presidents Petr Pavel and Tsai Ing-wen in 2023, and the opening of a CzechInvest office in Taipei, Czech policy toward Taiwan has moved from parliamentary gestures to coordinated governmental effort. Could this translate into direct influence in the European Parliament?
Where does the EU currently stand?
The EU Strategy for the Indo-Pacific, a European framework document on the region, emphasizes that the EU pursues a One China policy and does not maintain official relations with Taiwan, while managing the European Economic and Trade Office in Taipei, which has been conducting dialogue on trade and investment since 2021.
The ambiguity surrounding relations between China and the EU did not prevent the European Parliament from adopting a resolution in October 2024 that unequivocally rejects China’s interpretation of resolution 2758, without commenting on Taiwan’s sovereignty, but condemning military pressure from the PRC. If resolution 2758 concerns China’s representation at the UN and not the territorial status of Taiwan, it provides a legal argument in the EP debate and Czech resolutions to allow Taiwan ‘meaningful participation’ in international organizations.
Czech anchor?
Czech members of the European Parliament could be an anchor for a cross-party majority on Taiwan, especially in committees such as Foreign Affairs (AFET), International Trade (INTA), and the Industry, Research, and Energy (ITRE), which deals with innovation and technology, including semiconductor resilience. EP resolutions and member state government mandates (e.g., the Czech Republic) allow for the creation of ad hoc coalitions in committees that can ensure the adoption of amendments adding references to 2758, ‘meaningful participation’, or economic resilience clauses. The EP resolution of October 24, 2024, was adopted by a large majority, proving that such coalitions work.
The Czech Republic may inspire other European countries to increase their engagement with Taiwan. This is in line with the trend in Central and Eastern European countries, shifting from relative optimism about the Belt and Road Initiative to criticism and frustration.
However, it is unlikely to have a direct impact on the EU’s overall policy towards China. Relations between Prague and Beijing, including economic, are much less developed than in Western Europe, especially in France or Germany. Europe is grappling with deteriorating security, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is prompting Central and Eastern European countries to further strengthen ties with the US, sometimes deepening the divide between Western and Eastern Europe.
What next?
Some of the underlying issues that will be influencing not only Czech but also EU policy towards Taiwan include the risk of escalation with China and the vague language of the European documents concerning the region.
The EU and its member states are pursuing the One China policy, while at the same time strengthening the non-diplomatic cooperation with Taiwan. Tougher pro-Taiwan policy, including resolutions and partnerships, will most likely be met with diplomatic and economic pressure from Beijing. The need for precision in language and phrasing is needed, as was the case with the resolution in October 2024 on the Chinese interpretation of 2758.
Agnieszka Pawnik is an IPSC emerging scholar and a PhD candidate at the Jagiellonian University, Poland. Her research interests include Japanese foreign policy and the Indo-Pacific region.