EU Says Its "Fleet" Should Be In Taiwan Strait Due To Its Crucial Location For Trade

The fleet of the European Union needs to be present in the Taiwan Strait, as its location is "crucial" for trade, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday.

"Taiwan is ... the most strategic strait in the world particularly as far as trade is concerned. We need to be present there through the freedom of navigation operations and our fleet needs to be there," Borrell told the European Parliament.

Earlier on Tuesday, the foreign ministers of G7 countries reaffirmed in a joint statement the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.