On 4 December 2025, Palacký University Olomouc, in cooperation with the think tank Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS) Prague Office, held a conference in Prague titled The EU and the Indo-Pacific: Influence and Opportunities.
The event opened with a keynote address by David Müller, Czech Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, and continued with three thematic panels focusing on EU–China relations, EU–Taiwan relations, and EU–Southeast Asia relations.
The conference—particularly the panel on Europe–Taiwan relations—was supported by the Global Taiwan Chair project. The session was hosted by Kristina Kironska, who began with an overview of the current state of EU–Taiwan relations before moderating a discussion with three guests:
- Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy (Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies) examined the dynamics between EU institutions and Taiwan, noting that each institution carries different political weight and therefore shapes the EU’s approach to Taiwan in distinct ways.
- Quentin Couvreur (Center for International Studies, Sciences Po) compared two EU member states’ engagements with Taiwan: France, an established and influential long-term partner, and Luxembourg, a smaller state with more limited ties.
- Patrick Rumlar (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic) focused on the Czech case, outlining how Czechia compares with other EU countries and why it has emerged as one of Taiwan’s closest partners in Europe.
Audience questions were submitted via Slido, resulting in a lively discussion. Many interventions revolved around the recurring dilemma in Taiwanese diplomacy: navigating the tension between symbolic gestures and substantive outcomes in its relations with Europe.
The other two panels followed a similar format, bringing together scholars, think-tank experts, NGO representatives, and officials from the relevant Czech ministries. The entire event took place under Chatham House rules.
The conference concluded with a buffet dinner, giving participants an opportunity to continue conversations informally and explore new avenues for cooperation.
Photos from the event:
Photo 1: Keynote speech by David Müller (Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade)
Photo 2: Panel 1 on Europe-China relations, moderated by Richard Turcsanyi (Palacký University Olomouc), panelists: Alicja Bachulska (ECFR), Altynay Junusova, (MERICS), and Lenka Hojerová (Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade)
Photo 3: Presentation on Europe-Taiwan relations by Kristina Kironska (Palacký University Olomouc)
Photo 4: Panel 2 on Europe-Taiwan relations, moderated by Kristina Kironska, panelists: Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy (Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies), Quentin Couvreur (Sciences Po), and Patrick Rumlar (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Photo 5: Panel 3 on Europe-Southeast Asia relations, moderated by Alfred Gerstl (Palacký University Olomouc), panelists: Jan Šindelář (People in Need), David Hutt, (CEIAS), and Marek Libřický (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Photo 6 and 7: Conference audience
Photo 8: Buffet dinner and networking