The head of diplomacy of the European Union Josep Borrell calls on the marines of the member countries to patrol the Taiwan Strait in a column published Sunday April 23 by the Journal du Dimanche, after judging on Tuesday that Taiwan was
"
crucial
"
for Europe.
Europe must be “
very present on this dossier which concerns us economically, commercially and technologically
”, wrote Josep Borrell for the
Journal du Dimanche
.
"
That's why I call on European navies to patrol the Taiwan Strait to signify Europe's commitment to freedom of navigation in this absolutely crucial area
."
The “most strategic strait in the world”
“
It is the most strategic strait in the world, particularly with regard to trade: we must be present there via freedom of navigation operations
”, he had already pleaded.
"
Taiwan is resolutely part of our strategic perimeter to guarantee peace, to defend our interests
", added the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Read alsoWhy France cannot ignore Taiwan
These remarks come two weeks after controversial statements by French President Emmanuel Macron after a visit to China refusing "
a logic of block to block
" on the question of Taiwan and urging Europe not to "
be a follower
" .
from the United States or China.
China and Taiwan have been governed separately since 1949, but Beijing considers the democratic island as one of its provinces and does not rule out using force to exercise its sovereignty there.
Two days after President Macron's visit to China in early April, a French surveillance frigate coming from Vietnam and en route to South Korea passed through the Taiwan Strait.
This passage "
in international waters, in accordance with the freedom of navigation
", was part of a long-planned mission, according to the staff of the French army.