Taiwan-EU Relations
The EU has solid relations with Taiwan in areas such as trade, investment, science, research, education, culture, health, environment, climate change, circular economy, labour, fisheries, digital economy, cyber security, human rights and gender equality. Engagement takes place through a variety of channels, in particular through the annual Taiwan-EU consultations, which facilitate dialogue on both trade and non-trade issues. The two sides also meet regularly for labor and human rights consultations.
The European Economic and Trade Office (EETO) in Taipei was established by the European Commission in 2003, with the function and mandate of a diplomatic representation. Currently, the EU and 16 Member States have established their own representations in Taiwan; similarly, Taiwan has 24 official representative offices in 19 EU Member States. Since the EU granted Schengen visa waiver status to Taiwanese passport holders in 2011, Taiwan-EU relations in various areas have expanded significantly. Taiwan has also signed Working Holiday Programs with the UK, as well as 11 EU Member States: Germany, Ireland, Belgium, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The EU is expected to launch EES and ETIAS in the near future, with details to be announced by the EU and its member states.
While the EU was Taiwan’s fifth-largest trading partner in 2025, Taiwan was the EU’s 13th-largest trading partner globally and fifth-largest in Asia, with total bilateral trade volume amounting to US$74.8 billion. The inclusion of Taiwan in the European Commission's “Trade for All” communication in October 2015 was a major development for economic ties, as it stated that “the EU will explore launching negotiations on investment with Taiwan.” The EU encourages a sound flow of trade and investment between Taiwan and Europe, and it works closely with Taiwan in the World Trade Organization. The EU also supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in a number of international organizations.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan offered humanitarian assistance to the EU. On April 1, 2020, then President Tsai Ing-wen announced Taiwan’s first round of humanitarian donations, offering surgical masks to support front-line medical workers in the United States and European countries worst hit by the COVID-19 outbreak. In response, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen thanked Taiwan on the same day, tweeting “the European Union thanks Taiwan for its donation of masks to help fight the #coronavirus; this global virus outbreak requires international solidarity & cooperation; acts like this show that we are #StrongerTogether.”
Moreover, on September 16, 2021, the EU issued its Joint Communication of “The EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific,” which noted increasing tensions in regional hotspots such as the Taiwan Strait. It stated that the EU would like to engage with Taiwan in the areas of semiconductors, trade and investment, countering IUU and data protection.
Since 2021, EU top officials have consistently emphasized that peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait are important to regional and global security and prosperity, their commitment to maintaining the status quo, and their opposition to any unilateral actions from either side to change the status quo. They have also expressed concerns about China’s increased military activities.
In February 2024, then HR/VP Josep Borrell reiterated in the press release following the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum that, growing tensions in regions including the Taiwan Strait, are affecting global security and have a direct impact on the prosperity of both Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
That same month, the European Union and the United States, during the EU-US Consultations, co-chaired by then EEAS Secretary General Stefano Sannino and then US Under Secretary Victoria Nuland, affirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues. They expressed support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations.
Later in the month, then HR/VP Josep Borrell stressed that the EU wants to preserve peace and stability in the region, during his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the margins of the Munich Security Conference.
In May 2024, EEAS issued a statement in response to China’s military drills around Taiwan, stressing that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are of strategic importance for regional and global security and prosperity, and that the EU has a direct interest in the preservation of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. In July the same year, President von der Leyen of the European Commission presented to the European Parliament her Political Guidelines 2024-2029, in which she stated that the EU “will work with Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Australia, ... this includes our collective efforts to deploy the full range of our combined statecraft to deter China from unilaterally changing the status quo by military means, particularly
over Taiwan.”
In October 2024, April and December 2025, the EU again issued responses to China’s military drills, reiterating its position that the EU has a direct interest in the preservation of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. In October 2024, then Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicholas Schmit, on behalf of then HR/VP Borrell, delivered a speech at the European Parliament plenary on the misinterpretation of the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758. Commissioner Schmit stated that United Nations Resolution 2758 is very short - only 150 words, among those 150 words, the word “Taiwan” does not appear. This marked the first time the EU executive branch expressed its position on the resolution, underscoring its significance. Also in October 2024, the European Commission released a report “Safe Together: Strengthening Europe’s Civilian and Military Preparedness and Readiness,” in which it stated, “Beyond its long-held ambitions to take over Taiwan, ... China’s coercive foreign and security policies toward neighbours including India, the Philippines, and Vietnam are undermining regional stability.” The report also pointed out that the “potential economic and security impact of Chinese aggression against Taiwan or in the South China Sea would be staggering for Europe and the world.”
The current European Commission, which took office in December 2024, released the Joint White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030 in March 2025. The white paper points out that China is rapidly expanding its military capabilities, including nuclear, space, and cyber capabilities. This shift is significantly altering the strategic balance in the Indo-Pacific. It also notes that “China is intensifying its political, economic, military, cyber and cognitive measures to coerce Taiwan,” stating that the “shifting Taiwan status quo raises the risk of a major disruption which would have profound economic and strategic consequences for Europe.”
On 24 July 2025, European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas attended the “25th EU–China Summit” in Beijing, where they separately met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. According to the EU’s post-summit press release, the European Union reaffirmed its consistent policy while expressing concern about increased tensions in the Taiwan Strait. The statement stated that heightened instability in the East and South China Seas threatens regional and global prosperity and security. It also noted that the EU opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion and insists on resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law.
In response to a Reuters reporter’s inquiry on 7 October 2025, a spokesperson for the European Union not only reiterated the position that in United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 “Taiwan does not appear”, but also stated that “As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has a special responsibility in upholding the rules-based international order, the United Nations Charter and international law. This includes the prohibition of the use of force and the maintenance of international peace and security.” This marked the first time the EU had publicly invoked the UN Charter to urge China to adhere to the principle of non-use of force and to safeguard international peace and stability.
Since 2025, the European Commission has progressively authorized the export of Taiwan-produced guavas, mangoes, dragon fruit, jujubes, and lychees to the European Union, subject to compliance with phytosanitary requirements.
Taiwan- EP Relations
Over the years, the European Parliament has become an important part of Taiwan-EU relations as this EU institution continues to grow in importance. Today, the European Parliament supports a range of measures promoting friendly relations between Taiwan and the EU, including by facilitating exchanges and visits between the respective parliaments, supporting Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and enhancing Taiwan-EU economic and trade relations.
Over the 9th term (July 2019 to June 2024), the European Parliament has passed nearly 40 important resolutions containing a number of Taiwan-friendly provisions, especially the three important documents--“EU-Taiwan Political Relations and Cooperation”, “the situation in the Strait of Taiwan”, and “EU-Taiwan trade and investment relations”, all of which clearly convey the European Parliament's concern about the security situation in the Taiwan Strait as well as its support for Taiwan’s international participation, a Taiwan-EU Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) and the further deepening of bilateral relations. The documents also unequivocally oppose China’s ongoing and deliberate distortion of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 to unjustly limit Taiwan’s international participation, emphasize China’s territorial claim to Taiwan lacks legal basis of international law, and highlight the fact that neither Taiwan nor China is subordinate to the other and that only Taiwan’s democratically elected government can represent the Taiwanese people on the international stage.
The 10th European Parliament in October 2024 adopted the Resolution on “People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan”, stating that Taiwan has never been part of the PRC, expressing the Parliament’s support for preserving the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and its opposition to unilateral change, strongly rejecting China’s attempt to distort history and international rules, underlining that UN Resolution 2758 does not take a position on Taiwan, and condemning China’s continued military provocations against Taiwan and aggressive behaviours in its neighboring regions. This shows once again the strong support of Taiwan from the European Parliament. On April 2, 2025, the European Parliament adopted, by a large majority, the resolutions on the 2024 implementation reports of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The resolutions again express concern over China's escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait and voiced support for the continued deepening of multifaceted cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and the EU.
On October 16, 2025, the Bureau of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with the People’s Republic of China (D-CN) issued a statement after the 42nd EU-China Inter-Parliamentary Meeting was held. The statement emphasized that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait were in the interest of the European Union and the world and reiterated opposition to any distortion or misrepresentation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. It also confirmed that the European Union would continue to pursue close cooperation with Taiwan and reject any unilateral change to the status quo through force or coercion.
The European Parliament has continued its strong support for Taiwan with five resolutions containing Taiwan-friendly provisions being passed as of April 2026. On January 21, 2026, the European Parliament adopted the resolutions on the 2025 implementation reports of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The resolutions point out that ongoing attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, particularly by means of force or coercion, cannot be accepted and will have high costs. They also call for regular exchanges between the EU and its Taiwanese counterparts on relevant security issues.
On January 22, 2026, the European Parliament passed a resolution titled “Drones and new systems of warfare—the EU’s need to adapt to be fit for today’s security challenges.” The resolution calls for enhancing security and defense cooperation and partnership with the European Union’s Indo-Pacific partners, including Taiwan, particularly in drone technology and relevant industries; and stresses the importance of building secure, non-red supply chains underpinned by democratic values.
On February 11, 2026, the European Parliament voted to adopt a resolution on a report concerning EU strategic defense and security partnerships. The report indicates the need to deepen security and defense cooperation with Taiwan and expresses concerns over the challenges China poses to European and Indo-Pacific security. On March 26, 2026, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the report “Global Gateway—past impacts and future orientation,” calling on the European Union to strengthen cooperation with like-minded partners including Taiwan to construct a resilient web of trusted connectivity. It further emphasizes that the Global Gateway strategy is an alternative to China’s Belt and Road initiative and if properly applied could restore the EU’s industrial competitiveness and counterbalance China’s growing influence.
On May 20, 2026, the European Parliament adopted a recommendation on the European Union’s position on the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the European Council, European Commission, and vice president of the European Commission and high representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy. The recommendation reiterates support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and expresses concern over the situation in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, while opposing any unilateral attempt to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait through force or coercion. The recommendation advocates diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. It also calls for closer cooperation with like-minded partners to reinforce stability and security in the Taiwan Strait, strengthen deterrence against coercive or military actions, and continue to uphold the principle of the prohibition of the use of force as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.
Examples of cooperation and exchange between Taiwan and the European Parliaments:
On September 11, 2024, Members of Taiwan's Legislative Yuan, Legislator Chang Hung-lu, Lin Chu-yin, and Hung Sun-han, visited the European Parliament and met with MEP Michael Gahler, Chair of European Taiwan Friendship Group; MEP Andrey Kovatchez, Quaestor; MEP Miriam Lexmann, Quaestor and Co-Chair of Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), and other MEPs, to exchange views on cross-strait situation as well as the prospects of Taiwan-EU economic and investment cooperation.
On October 17, 2024, former President Tsai Ing-wen visited the European Parliament. Vice President Pina Picierno welcomed her at the entrance of the Parliament, along with D-CN Chair MEP Engin Eroglu, and former Member of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives and Co-President of the Belgian-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group Samuel Cogolati. Vice President Picierno and former President Tsai held a meeting at a Protocol room of the European Parliament, then walked together to the Welcoming Reception hosted by European Taiwan Friendship Group. Former President Tsai also attended “Ladies’ Night”, where she had dinner with several important EU female politicians. Many members of the European Parliament later posted on social media, emphasizing that Taiwan is an important like-minded partner for the EU, and the EU opposes any malicious attempt by the PRC to change the current situation by force and by distortion of international statement.
From October 27 to November 1, 2024, MEP Michael Gahler, Chair of the European Taiwan Friendship group, led a delegation to Taiwan. The group included MEP Bernard Guetta and MEP Ondřej Kolář. This was the first European parliamentary delegation to visit Taiwan following the European Parliament election in June 2024. During their visit, the delegation had in-depth discussions with officials and experts on topics such as Taiwan-EU trade relations and geopolitical issues, and explored opportunities for further cooperation.
From February 24 to 28, 2025, MEP Ivars Ījabs, Vice President of the Renew Group, led a delegation to Taiwan together with MEP Hannes Heide, MEP Arkadiusz Mularczyk, and MEP Vladimir Prebilič. The delegation held thorough discussions over issues including global geopolitical situations, Taiwan-EU bilateral relations, and explored opportunities for further cooperation.
From May 25 to 30, 2025, MEP Reinis Pozņaks, Member of the ECR Group, visited Taiwan together with MEP Beatrice Timgren and her policy advisor. The delegation held comprehensive discussions over issues including Taiwan-EU bilateral relations, regional security and economic interactions, and explored opportunities for further cooperation.
From July 20 to 25, 2025, a delegation led by Group Whip Anders Vistisen from the Patriots for Europe Group visited Taiwan. Delegation members included Group Whip Anders Vistisen, Vice Chair António Tânger Corrêa, MEP Georg Mayer, and policy advisors. The delegation engaged in in-depth discussions on Taiwan’s political and economic developments and prospects, the geopolitical situation in the Indo-Pacific, Taiwan–EU economic and trade relations, and technological innovation.
From July 21 to 23, 2025, the official delegation of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS) of the European Parliament visited Taiwan. The delegation included Committee Chair Nathalie Loiseau, D-CN Chair MEP Engin Eroglu, and MEPs Tomáš Zdechovský, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Kathleen Van Brempt and Markéta Gregorová, along with policy advisors. During the visit, they exchanged views on countering disinformation, strengthening societal resilience, and expanding practical cooperation between Taiwan and the EU.
On November 7, 2025, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim attended the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) in Brussels, accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung. At the invitation of IPAC, Vice President Hsiao delivered remarks entitled “Taiwan: a trusted partner in a volatile world” at an afternoon session on the issue of Taiwan during the event at the European Parliament. Addressing more than 50 members of the European Parliament and members of national parliaments from Europe, the Indo-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America, Vice President Hsiao called for cooperation among the world’s democracies and said that Taiwan is a trusted partner and willing to deepen collaboration with other nations. The speech drew a standing ovation from the audience of more than 150 people, which also included representatives of civil society and the media. It was the first time that a vice president of Taiwan had addressed at the European Parliament. On arriving at the European Parliament, Vice President Hsiao and Minister Lin were welcomed by MEP Quaestor Miriam Lexmann and MEP Bernard Guetta, a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, acting in their capacity as IPAC co-chairs for the European Parliament.
From January 4 to 9, 2026, MEP Michael Gahler, Chair of the European Taiwan Friendship group, led a 10-member delegation to Taiwan. The group included MEPs Sven Simon, Wouter Beke, Christophe Gomart, Marion Walsmann, Iuliu Winkler, Michał Szczerba and Jan Farský. During their visit, the delegation had in-depth discussions with officials and experts on such issues as Taiwan-EU economic and trade cooperation, developments across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, and combating disinformation and cyberattacks.
From March 30 to April 2, 2026, MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Chair of the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) of the European Parliament, led the first-ever official delegation to visit Taiwan. The delegation included MEPs Nicolás Pascual De La Parte, José Cepeda, Urmas Paet, Mārtiņš Staķis, Nikolas Farantouris, along with policy advisors. During the visit, they exchanged views on developments across the Indo-Pacific region, security and national defence, undersea cable security, countering disinformation, and whole-of-society resilience.
On May 6, 2026, Deputy Foreign Minister François Chihchung Wu was invited to speak at an ordinary meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE). This marked the first time that a deputy foreign minister of Taiwan delivered an address at a SEDE meeting. Deputy Foreign Minister Wu talked about defending the rules-based order against strategic revisionism as well as calling for the EU to continue supporting peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and strengthening various cooperation between the EU and Taiwan.
Taiwan - EU Scientific and Research Cooperation
In 2013, Taiwan became one of the EU’s 12 targeted countries for ICT collaboration, under the 7th EU Framework Programme (2007-2013) and the 8th FP – Horizon 2020 (2014-2020). As of the H2020 programme closure, Taiwan had participated in 102 Horizon 2020 international joint research programs and project consortia, and signed 71 project agreements. Currently Taiwan’s scientific community is actively working with the European scientific community in pursuing greater and tighter cooperation alongside the 9th Framework Programme – Horizon Europe (2021-2027). To date, Taiwan has successfully participated in 12 Horizon Europe projects and signed 9 agreements. Taiwan and the EU have also cooperated in the development of 5G technology since 2014.
As of the end of February 2025, Taiwan has successfully participated in 82 projects under the EU Horizon 2020 transnational scientific research cooperation framework (including European Research Council, ERC collaborations), with 59 signed agreements. Taiwan has also successfully participated in 18 projects under the EU "Horizon Europe" cooperation framework, with 14 signed agreements. Taiwan will continue to expand collaborative relationships with EU member states' scientific research institutions and research teams, striving to increase participation in the EU "Horizon Europe" program (2021-2027) and establish multilateral scientific research cooperation relationships with EU countries.
Additionally, our office interacts with EU institutions on scientific research matters through the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG-CNECT) and the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG-RTD). Besides promoting "Horizon Europe" scientific research cooperation projects, we have also organized several "Taiwan-EU Expert Roundtable Meetings" to discuss topics related to 6G, artificial intelligence, and green transition. We also maintain connections with the EU-Chips Joint Undertaking and the European Research Council (ERC), focusing on discussions about semiconductor field cooperation. In the future, we will deepen dialogue with these institutions and assist Taiwanese research units in participating in EU research programs.
Taiwan - EU Academic Cooperation
Taiwan’s Ministry of Education (MOE) annually sponsors programs for European students, researchers, education personnel and European officials. These programs increase the visibility of Taiwan in Europe and stimulate exchange and collaboration in academics and research, while also in other areas such as culture and politics.
The programs include scholarships and awards for EU officials, as well as European students and scholars, such as the Taiwan and Huayu Enrichment scholarships, the Taiwan Fellowship and the Short Term Research Award, among others.
Taiwan-Belgium Relations
Political relations
Taiwan and Belgium enjoy substantive exchanges in many fields and have set up respective Representative Offices in Brussels and Taipei. The Belgian government and people appreciate the vibrant democracy and economic strength of Taiwan. Belgium, in line with EU policy, supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. In Addition, 2nd Taiwan-Belgium Labor Policy Conference was held in Taipei May 2023, to identify the challenges of the future work and size the opportunities for cooperation. Taiwan and the Flemish Region of Belgium signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation Framework in January 2022 and held their first cooperation consultation meeting in April 2023 expanding the areas of collaboration. The coalition agreement of the new Belgian federal government, announced in February 2025, mentioning for the first time the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, while promoting the signing of investment agreements between Europe and countries in the region.
The “Cercle de Parlementaires-Amis de Taiwan” was established by Belgian Members of Parliaments in December 1993. Each year, many Belgian MPs visit Taiwan, and vice versa. Over recent years, the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, the Senate, the Flemish Parliament, the Walloon Parliament and the Brussels Capital- Region Parliament have all adopted a number of resolutions supporting Taiwan. The latest one was adopted by the Belgian Chamber of Representatives in March 2025, stating for the first time that the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not address the sovereignty of Taiwan. In addition, the Flemish Parliament passed a resolution two months later emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The Belgian government has continued to express its support publicly for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer from 2021 to 2025.
Economic and trade relations
In 2025, the total bilateral trade volume between Belgium and Taiwan amounted to 2.44 billion US dollars. Traditionally Taiwanese and Belgian companies have worked closely in the ICT sector. For example, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (TSMC), the largest pure-play foundry in the world, has enjoyed long-term cooperation with the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (IMEC) in the research of advanced semiconductor technologies. In recent years, with the development of Taiwan’s ambitious policies to develop its offshore wind energy capacity, the renowned Belgian maritime engineering companies DEME and Jan De Nul have both significantly expanded their presence in Taiwan, together with local partners. To promote mutual investment and encourage further commercial activity, an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income was signed by both sides on October 13, 2004, in Brussels. In addition, to promote cooperation and exchanges between Taiwanese and Belgian SMEs and Startups, a “Memorandum of Understanding on SMEs and Startups” was signed by both sides in 2025.
The annual bilateral Taiwan-Belgium Joint Business Council Meeting is also a platform for Taiwanese and Belgium-based companies to further strengthen existing business contacts and to explore new opportunities in trade, investment and research cooperation. The 25th Taiwan-Belgium Joint Business Council Meeting was held on June 11th, 2025. Business representatives from both sides exchanged the latest developments and policies in the sectors including semiconductor, ITC and logistics, and signed a MOU to strengthen bilateral industrial cooperation in those fields.
Educational Exchange and Cooperation
To enhance the exchange and cultivation of talents between Taiwan and Belgium, the Ministry of Education (MOE) of Taiwan provides the Taiwan Scholarship and the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship each year. These programs encourage Belgian students to pursue degree studies or undertake Mandarin language and cultural learning in Taiwan.
Through frequent mutual visits and a range of academic exchange activities, numerous universities in both Taiwan and Belgium have established faculty and student exchange mechanisms. These partnerships have further evolved to integrate key industrial strengths, fostering the joint development of dual master’s and doctoral degree programs in the fields of engineering, science, humanities, and social sciences, as well as the co-organization of international conferences and collaborative research projects.
In response to the growing demand for high-level talent driven by industrial transformation, both sides have placed increasing importance on cooperation in innovation and entrepreneurship education. In July 2018, the MOE and the Flemish Ministry of Education and Training renewed the Memorandum of Understanding on Educational Cooperation and Exchanges. Subsequently, in September 2019, the MOE also signed a similar memorandum with the Ministry of Education of the French Community of Belgium.
To further promote a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s education, culture, and related issues, the MOE has collaborated with Belgian universities to establish the Taiwan Studies Program.
In addition, the MOE and Belgian universities have jointly launched the Top 100 Scholarship Program, through which both sides provide annual scholarships to support doctoral students pursuing studies in each other’s institutions. The MOE and Belgian higher education institutions also alternately host the Taiwan–Belgium Higher Education Forum, which took place in Brussels in June 2025. To build on the achievements of the 2025 Taiwan-Belgium higher education exchange, the Education Division of Taiwan’s representative office has invited 16 universities in Taiwan to officially launch the "Taiwan–Belgium–Netherlands Academic Exchange and International Mobility Grant Program" in March 2026, deepening academic cooperation with universities in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Science and Research Cooperation
FWO & FNRS: The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) of Taiwan signed cooperation agreements respectively with the National Fund for Scientific Research (FWO & FNRS) of Belgium in 1985 and renewed the agreements in 2019. Both agreements provide funding to facilitate individual and institutional S&T exchanges through visits, joint research projects and thematic workshops between the two countries. In light of the new bilateral scientific cooperation agreements, the NSTC and its respective Belgian funding organisation counterparts, namely Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) and the Fund for Scientific Research – FNRS have jointly achieved the calls for the NSTC-FWO and the NSTC-FNRS Exchange Programs for the years of 2021-2022 and that of 2023-2024.
For the 2025-2026 period, three research projects have been selected for funding under the NSTC-FNRS bilateral research cooperation program, while five research projects will be funded under the NSTC-FWO bilateral research cooperation program. We also maintain positive interactions with Belgium's bilingual region. With the Flemish Region (Dutch-speaking area), policy exchanges are conducted primarily through the Department of Economy, Science and Innovation and VLAIO, while also collaborating with the VIB Institute for Biotechnology and KU Leuven. In the Walloon Region (French-speaking area), we have visited UCLouvain and observed their elderly monitoring technologies. In the future, the Science and Technology Division plans to strengthen interactions with policy institutions in both regions and hopes to engage in more in-depth exchanges. IMEC: the NSTC signed a cooperation agreement with the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (IMEC) in 1996 and renewed it in 2012 to expand the areas of collaboration, including the establishment of an R&D Centre in Taiwan in September 2008.
Working Holiday Program
Taiwan and Belgium agreed in 2013 to provide an annual quota of 200 visas for young people aged between 18 and 30, to work, travel and study in each other’s country for up to one year.
Taiwan-Luxembourg Relations
Political relations
Taiwan’s representative office in Luxembourg was closed in 2002, with its functions taken over by the Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium. The function of this office was afterwards taken over by the Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium. The “Luxembourg Trade and Investment Office, Taipei” was established in October 2009.
The Luxembourg Parliament unanimously passed a motion regarding Taiwan on May 17, 2022, calling on the Luxembourgish government to continue to strengthen economic, scientific and cultural relations with Taiwan. Moreover, from 2022 through 2026, the Government of Luxembourg has consistently voiced its support for Taiwan’s participation as an observer in the technical meetings of the World Health Organization (WHO) during the World Health Assembly (WHA).
On April 24, 2024, the Luxembourg Parliament once again passed a motion in favor of Taiwan, calling on the Luxembourg government to support Taiwan’s technical participation as an observer in the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Health Assembly (WHA), as well as its participation as an observer in other functional international organizations, in order to make use of Taiwan’s medical expertise and experience. The motion also emphasizes that peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region is a fundamental interest of the EU and Luxembourg, and calls on the Luxembourg government to commit itself to maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. Furthermore, it calls on the government to support the deepening of economic and trade cooperation between the EU and Taiwan, and to continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and Luxembourg in the economic, scientific, cultural, educational and public health care sectors.
A delegation from the Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies visited Taiwan from April 6 to 11, 2025. The delegation included MPs Stéphanie Weydert, Ben Polidori, Liz Braz, and Ricardo Marques.
In recent years, the substantive cooperation between Taiwan and Luxembourg in various fields has yielded many concrete results. The Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital was signed on 19 December 2011. Other agreements and MoUs on issues such as financial oversight, stock exchanges, education, aviation, and working holidays have also been signed.
Economic and trade relations
Taiwan enjoys close financial cooperation with Luxembourg. For example, many Taiwanese companies choose the Luxembourg Stock Exchange to issue their Global Depository Receipts as a mean of raising funds. In terms of trade in goods, Taiwan’s bilateral trade volume with Luxembourg in 2025 amounted to USD 97.15 million. China Airlines, a Taiwanese carrier, has chosen Luxembourg as its main cargo transit center in Europe, and ships Taiwanese products to many countries on the continent. Luxembourg is the gateway for Taiwanese products entering Europe, and China Airlines collaborates very closely with Cargolux. Luxembourg plays a role no less important than Frankfurt or Amsterdam for Taiwan’s cargo shipments to Europe.
The annual bilateral Taiwan-Luxembourg Joint Business Council Meeting is also a key platform for Taiwanese and Luxembourg-based companies to further strengthen existing business contacts and to explore new opportunities in trade, investment and research cooperation. The 14th Taiwan-Luxembourg Joint Business Council Meeting was held on December 1, 2023, followed by the 15th meeting in Taipei on March 17, 2025. Business representatives from both sides exchanged insights on the latest developments and policies in areas such as startups, sustainability, digital transformation, automation machinery, green technology, and ICT and data.
Science and Research Cooperation
Taiwan strives to promote interactions between Taiwan's funding agencies and Luxembourg's research institutions, encouraging exchanges between scientific researchers and expanding bilateral scientific research cooperation between Taiwan and Luxembourg. In addition, Taiwan seeks to establish contacts with Luxembourg research institutions including LIST (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology), the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA), and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research. The cooperation focuses on space technology and precision medicine. In 2024, both sides successfully held the first "Taiwan-Luxembourg Research Day" and plan to continue deepening this partnership while expanding cooperation in the field of materials circular economy.
Working Holiday Program
Since 2019, the Working Holiday Program between Taiwan and Luxembourg enables up to 40 young people aged between 18 and 30 per year to work, travel, and study in each other’s country. In order to promote more youth exchanges between the two sides, the revised Working Holiday Program takes effect on April 1, 2023 which allows the age limit of applicants for WHP to be raised to 35 years old.
