By William Winberg
For our October Indo-Pacific Dialogue Policy seminar, YCAPS was happy to invite Dr. Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, Assistant Professor at the National Dong Hwa University, to present her latest book, "Partners in Peace: Why Europe and Taiwan Matter to Each Other," and speak on the latest developments in European Union (EU)-Taiwan relations in a world of changing geopolitical dynamics. Dr. Ferenczy highlighted various aspects of the complicated relationship, such as EU political will to engage with Taiwan and conversely how Taiwan engages with the EU and its member states. Other topics of discussion were the role of institutions like the European Parliament in facilitating relations, what the EU can do for Taiwan and the potential limitations that the EU faces as a largely economic actor in deterring conflict in the region.
The session was held in-person at Temple University's Japan campus, co-hosted with Temple University's Institute for Contemporary Asian Studies (ICAS) This session provided policymakers, scholars, and enthusiasts with a valuable opportunity to gain new and insightful perspectives on the EU and its approach to Taiwan within the context of its larger strategy in the Indo-Pacific region.
Throughout the sessions, Dr. Ferenczy engaged with the audience by taking a range of different questions and holding a back-and-forth discussion with audience members. The session was moderated by Dr. Stephen Nagy, International Christian University professor and Director for Policy Research at YCAPS, with opening remarks by and ICAS Academic Fellow Dr. John Bradford.
