A delegation of parliamentarians from Central and Northern Europe visited Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) on February 5, aiming to deepen cooperation on maritime security and technology. The CGA announced on Wednesday that the group, led by Lithuanian Member of Parliament Žygimantas Pavilionis, deputy chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, included lawmakers from Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Poland, Sweden, and Ukraine, a sign of growing European attention to Indo-Pacific stability. 

CGA Director-General Chang Chung-lung (張忠龍) and the visiting delegation exchanged views on global maritime security trends, law enforcement cooperation, and democratic resilience. The discussions centered around the use of new maritime surveillance technologies, particularly unmanned systems, to enhance law enforcement efficiency.  

Chang emphasized that in today’s shifting geopolitical environment, maritime security is key to protecting the “democratic supply chain.” He reaffirmed Taiwan’s frontline role in ensuring freedom of navigation, strengthening maritime law enforcement, and countering “gray-zone” threats.  

Pavilionis and other delegates commended Taiwan’s strong coordination and operational capacity, noting that despite the distance, Europe and Taiwan share similar borders and nontraditional security challenges. The visit, they said, strengthens the Taiwan–Europe partnership based on shared democratic values.  

The CGA concluded that both sides oppose any coercive actions that seek to change the status quo and will continue expanding maritime cooperation to uphold a free, open, and rules-based international maritime order.