By Caribbean News Global 
TAIPEI, Taiwan – EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell emphasized in his July 27 address to the 31st ASEAN Regional Forum that the European Union had a direct interest in maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) notes the European Union opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion;and welcomes and appreciates his reaffirmation of the EU stance on safeguarding cross-strait peace and stability.
In his speech, High Representative Borrell expressed concern over tensions in the South China Sea, underscored that the Indo-Pacific region was the center of global competition, and noted that conflict in the South China Sea could have far greater ramifications than the Red Sea crisis.
High Representative Borrell urged all parties to reduce tensions in the South China Sea in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and expressed opposition to the use of force to resolve conflicts. The position is commensurate with Taiwan’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea.
“Taiwan opposes any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force and condemns the escalation of grey-zone tactics and military coercion in the South China Sea,” affirmed MOFA. “This is not only detrimental to regional peace and stability, it also undermines the global maritime order that is founded in international law and UNCLOS. Taiwan will continue to cooperate with regional allies and like-minded countries to jointly protect a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
EU-ASEAN: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the 31th ASEAN Regional Forum
