- TAIWANTODAY.TW - Top News - 01/Jul 00:00

Taiwan deepens marine cooperation with Europe

Cabinet-level Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling received Lutz Güllner, head of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan (EETO) July 3 in the southern city of Kaohsiung, demonstrating commitment to cooperation in marine affairs.   According to the OAC, the two officials exchanged views on marine security in the Indo-Pacific Region, personnel collaboration, technological defense and marine infrastructure resilience.   Kuan said that Taiwan has been alert and proactive in responding to China’s grey zone aggression which has posed a substantive threat to coastal areas. As for marine infrastructure security, the country has constructed a multi-layer protective mechanism, the minister said.   In response, Güllner lauded Taiwan’s coastal defense, protection of the freedom of navigation and advocacy for regional peace while noting that recent damage to a marine cable in the Baltic Sea caused concern to stakeholders. To address issues like this, both welcomed the concept of a digital information sharing mechanism.     Kuan noted that the 2025 Ocean Challenge forum is set to be held Sept. 2 in Kaohsiung, jointly organized by the OAC, American Institute in Taiwan's Kaohsiung Branch Office, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association's Kaohsiung Office and Manila Economic and Cultural Office's Kaohsiung Extension Office, with support from the EETO. The minister anticipated that the latter would become an official forum partner and encourage young Europeans’ further participation in exchanges on marine sustainability issues.   Güllner said that the European Union has set up an agency to upgrade marine governance and sustainable development. He added that blue economy and marine security policies have been set out which are compatible with Taiwan advocacy for safe, prosperous and sustainable marine management. (POC-E)   Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw