Between 18 and 21 May 2025, Engin Eroglu, Executive Vice President of the EDP, joined a high-profile delegation organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) for an important visit to Washington, D.C. The trip marked a significant moment for fostering greater transatlantic cooperation, specifically addressing shared concerns over China’s expanding global influence and related geopolitical tensions. This delegation was composed of influential figures from Europe and the United Kingdom, such as Sir Iain Duncan Smith, former UK Conservative leader, Miriam Lexmann, a senior member of the European Parliament from Slovakia, and Jan Paternotte, leader of the Dutch D66 party. The visit provided a crucial platform for Eroglu and his colleagues to discuss a coordinated strategy with U.S. policymakers and experts, thus reinforcing international alignment and enhancing the EDP’s visibility on global issues. At the core of these discussions were themes of security cooperation, economic resilience, and human rights, particularly focusing on sensitive regions such as Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong, and the Taiwan Strait. Engin Eroglu played a pivotal role, effectively representing European perspectives and promoting the EDP’s stance on these critical global issues.
The delegation’s intense agenda included interactions with leading governmental and non-governmental institutions. One of the initial meetings at the National Endowment for Democracy emphasized the importance of building democratic resilience against Chinese disinformation campaigns, where Eroglu highlighted Europe’s proactive legislative steps to counter misinformation. His insights underscored the EDP’s commitment to democratic values and its willingness to share European experiences. In strategic talks with the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Eroglu presented Europe’s evolving “de-risking” strategy aimed at reducing economic dependency on China without complete disengagement. He stressed the necessity for deeper transatlantic alignment, especially concerning the Indo-Pacific region and potential security threats around Taiwan, advocating for coordinated policy-making between the EU and the U.S.
Further exchanges at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies addressed mutual concerns over Chinese espionage and the security of critical infrastructure. Eroglu highlighted similarities between European and American experiences, particularly regarding Chinese surveillance of dissidents in Europe, proposing that insights from the U.S. could greatly benefit European policies managed through platforms like the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC). During engagements at the U.S. State Department, conversations centered around aligning export controls and human rights sanctions, especially in relation to dual-use technologies and abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. Here, Eroglu advocated strongly for synchronized transatlantic actions, leveraging frameworks like the EU’s Magnitsky-style sanctions, thus demonstrating the EDP’s proactive role in international human rights advocacy. The visit included a significant discussion hosted by the McCain Institute, exploring cooperation on human rights issues, such as trafficking and violence against women. Moreover, interactions with State Armor highlighted common transatlantic vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and investment security, leading Eroglu to suggest adopting American approaches to bolster European policies. A special event, the “Hello Taiwan Dinner,” featured dialogues on enhancing Taiwan’s defense capabilities, where Eroglu promoted Europe’s potential involvement through technical assistance and strategic arms exports. At the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, he reaffirmed the necessity for effective sanctions and collaboration to address human rights abuses, reinforcing the EDP’s active stance on global human rights issues.
Finally, the delegation met with the International Republican Institute to discuss the impact of China’s sanctions against democratic initiatives. Eroglu emphasized the European experience with Chinese sanctions and the importance of resilient democratic institutions, further cementing the EDP’s commitment to international democratic solidarity. In conclusion, the IPAC delegation’s visit to Washington successfully deepened the EDP’s transatlantic ties, particularly through Engin Eroglu’s active and influential participation. It highlighted crucial areas for coordinated action on global security, economic resilience, and human rights, solidifying the EDP’s reputation as an engaged and forward-looking political force on the international stage. Moving forward, the EDP is poised to leverage these strengthened relationships, driving continued dialogue and cooperation with its transatlantic partners.
