Taipei: The Formosa Club in Europe, a cross-party platform of European legislators launched to strengthen ties with Taiwan, is holding its annual summit in Taipei to stand together with the country, the annual summit's chair said Monday in Taipei.
According to Focus Taiwan, Rihards Kols, a Latvian politician who was elected a member of the European Parliament in 2024, emphasized the significance of the Formosa Club since its initiation in 2019. The club has become a major international platform supporting Taiwan's inclusion in international institutions such as the World Health Organization and Interpol. The Formosa Club also regularly issues statements condemning military provocations in the Taiwan Strait and stands against disinformation, cyber threats, and economic coercion.
Kols highlighted Taiwan's critical role in defending democracy, stating that its prosperity has direct implications for global security, European economic stability, and the credibility of the international rules-based order. He warned of players determined to disrupt and change the international order by force, asserting that it is the duty and responsibility of the world's democracies to stand united against such aggression.
In his remarks, Kols called on global democracies to enhance partnerships among democratic societies in the Indo-Pacific and strengthen the international rules-based order.
Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, welcoming the group to Taiwan, noted that this year's gathering is significant as it marks the first time the Formosa Club's annual conference is being held in Taipei. He praised the Formosa Club for demonstrating that democratic solidarity knows no borders and that friendships rooted in shared values can withstand intense external pressures.
Lin pledged that Taiwan will continue to serve as a driving force for global prosperity, particularly in the semiconductor and artificial intelligence industries. He emphasized Taiwan's commitment to enhancing economic security and building resilient supply chains, aligning with its broader vision of ensuring prosperity for its allies. He affirmed that as Europe seeks to diversify its relations and increase its autonomy, Taiwan stands ready as a reliable, trustworthy, and innovative partner.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Formosa Club was established in October 2019, initiated by chairpersons of the Taiwan friendship groups from the European Parliament and national parliaments of the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. MOFA stated that the 2025 annual conference, held from Monday through Tuesday, marks the club's second annual conference, with the first taking place in Europe on May 24, 2023. Forty-five parliamentarians from the European Parliament and 18 European national parliaments are visiting Taiwan for the event.