The EU has a significant stake in the maintenance of cross-strait peace and stability. Reiterating its One China Policy, the position of the EU is that the Taiwan question must be solved peacefully between the parties concerned. There should be no recourse to unilateral action, destabilizing initiatives or coercion by either side. 

 

While recognizing the general value of referenda as democratic instruments, the EU is, nevertheless, concerned by the decision in Taiwan to proceed with the proposed referendum on joining the UN in the name of Taiwan. The proposed referendum would risk increasing cross-straits tension, to the potential detriment of all concerned, including the people of Taiwan.

 

The EU continues to encourage both sides to work to promote dialogue, practical cooperation and confidence-building.

 

The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia align themselves with this declaration.