Chairman Scholten, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am delighted to attend this evening's Europe Day dinner at the invitation of the European Council of Commerce and Trade. Europe Day originated on May 9, 1950, when French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed a plan to eliminate the century-old antagonism between Germany and France and promote European solidarity and world peace. The Schuman Plan, or Schuman Declaration, laid a solid foundation for the integrated development of Europe in the post-war era and the peace and prosperity of the region today. Over fifty years ago, the countries of Europe experienced a turbulent period of war and disaster; today, they enjoy wealth, peace, prosperity, strength, and freedom. Europe's rise to become once again a powerful force in international politics and economics deserves my respect and admiration.
In my view, the integration of Europe has several noteworthy attributes that should be pointed out for the benefit of all.
First, integration came from a desire to avoid war. In the past, both Napoleon's and Hitler's attempts to unify Europe with armed force ended in tragedy. Thus, we can see that unification through armed force or the threat of armed force is doomed to failure. Peaceful means is the only way to integration.
Second, integration must not be accomplished by coercion. In the process of European integration, the participation of each nation was carefully evaluated and approved by its citizens. Force was never applied, for this would be annexation and not genuine integration, and would have prevented true unity among nations.
Third, integration begins with economic cooperation and gradually expands to other areas. The EU experience shows that integration needs efficient planning and a step-by-step procedure. Once there is a solid economic foundation, progress can be made in other areas, such as judicial, foreign, military, and internal affairs. Only by proceeding in a steady and sequential manner can integration be successful. Without carefully considered plans and appropriate arrangements, integration will bring disaster, instead of contributing to the well-being of the nation.
Finally, integration must be based on the principle of equal sovereignty among individual countries. In the process of European integration, all countries showed mutual respect for each other. The opinions of small countries were respected, while politically powerful countries did not bully others. This attitude of equal sovereignty and respect was vital to the success of integration.
The relationship between Europe and Taiwan has a long history. As early as 1544, Portuguese navigators first sighted Taiwan and named it Ilha Formosa, or "beautiful island." Later, in the 17th century, the Dutch and Spanish established a presence on Taiwan. However, for a long period after the Second World War, relations between Europe and the Republic of China became distant, as Europe focused on integration. Beginning in the 1980s, trade relations between Europe and the ROC grew closer, and today Europe is Taiwan's third largest trading partner after the US and Japan. In 1999, bilateral trade between Taiwan and Europe reached US$37.9 billion, accounting for 16.3 percent of the ROC's total external trade. At the same time, Taiwan's exports to Europe have continued to grow, and Taiwan is now Europe's third largest source of imported goods, after the US and Hong Kong.
In the past, historic, strategic, and security factors made foreign relations with the United States and Japan more important. In the future, the new government will adopt a forward-looking strategy in increasing the allocation of manpower and resources to promote a comprehensive relationship with Europe, and the European Union in particular. We will promote relations with individual parliaments, political parties, cities, academic institutions, think tanks, human rights organizations, and other non-governmental organizations. The ROC plans to establish a representative office for the European Union at the earliest possible date to handle EU-related work and improve our presence in Europe. Likewise, I hope the European Union will set up a representative office in Taipei soon, just as it has done in over one hundred countries. The absence of such an organization is abnormal, since Taiwan has become the EU's tenth or eleventh largest trading partner in recent years and the organization can serve the interests of both sides. In the past, European support has facilitated Taiwan's application for membership in the World Trade Organization. I believe Taiwan's market will further expand after it enters the WTO, and the economic and trade relations between Taiwan and Europe will be further strengthened within the WTO structure. Taiwan is willing to work with various European nations to fulfil its responsibility as a member of the international community. In the future, we hope Europe will continue to give Taiwan strong support, so that we can contribute more to the world.
Since its establishment in 1988, the European Council of Commerce and Trade (ECCT) has contributed greatly to the development of trade relations between the Republic of China and European countries. The ECCT's annual position paper is an important reference for the ROC government in formulating its European trade policy. Each year since 1995, representatives of the ECCT have traveled to Brussels to exchange views with members of the European Parliament and officials of the European Commission responsible for trade and diplomacy and on ways to improve ties between Europe and Taiwan. In addition, the ECCT has voiced its support for Taiwan's entry to the WTO and has called on the European Union to establish a representative office in Taipei. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your efforts. I hope that the ECCT will continue to show its concern and support for Taiwan, and provide us with suggestions and advice on how to strengthen this valued partnership and friendship. Thank you.