A group of MEPs working on foreign interference in the democratic processes of the EU, including disinformation, starts a three-day visit in Taiwan on Wednesday.

The delegation will discuss Taiwanese experiences in fight against disinformation, attempts at interference in Taiwanese democracy, media, culture and education, as well as Taiwan’s efforts to reinforce its cyber-resilience.

Taiwan uses innovative tools and involves the whole Taiwanese society to address all types of interference in its democracy without restricting freedom of speech and media.

The discussions will feed into the work of Parliament’s Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation (INGE).

The seven-member delegation, representing the political groups of the Parliament, is set to meet President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen, the premier of the Executive Yuan, ministers of national defense and of mainland affairs, as well as the deputy Foreign Affairs Minister and the Speaker of the Legislative Yuan (Taiwanese Parliament). They will also take part in a series of roundtables on disinformation with Taiwanese and European experts.

The members of the INGE delegation are:

Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D, FR), head of the delegation, chair of INGE

Andrius Kubilius (EPP, LT)

Markéta Gregorová (Greens/EFA, CZ)

Andreas Schieder (S&D, AT)

Petras Auštrevičius (Renew Europe, LT)

Georgios Kyrtsos (EPP, GR)

Marco Dreosto (ID, IT)

“The experience of Taiwan in addressing repeated and sophisticated attacks through the mobilisation of its whole society, and without restricting its democracy, is unique. In the work of the INGE special committee, we have a lot to learn from the Taiwanese partners”, said Raphaël Glucksmann before the delegation took off.

Press conference

The delegation is going to hold a webstreamed press conference in Taipei on Friday morning (8am Brussels time). For further information, please check the Twitter account of the committee.

Background

The European Parliament has recently adopted recommendations on EU-Taiwan relations.

The INGE special committee is tasked to provide a long-term approach to address instances of foreign interference in the democratic institutions and processes of the EU and its member states. Information gathering delegations are part of the toolkit at the committee’s disposal before it adopts its report in December 2021.

Further information

Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation