Taipei, Dec. 13 (CNA) Vice President Annette Lu pitched Wednesday for the formation of a union of Asian states to ensure regional prosperity and peace.
Lu made the appeal in a speech delivered at the opening of the 2000 Asia-Europe Cooperation Forum, which brought together scores of local and foreign scholars and experts to discuss regional security issues and Asia-Pacific cooperation.
Lu said she looks forward to seeing Asian states learn from the 15-member European Union and make issues of national and territorial sovereignty secondary to achieving regional prosperity and peace.
The vice president then reiterated her idea of forming a "union of Asian states," which she said could serve to integrate the region and give Asian nations a more effective role in world affairs.
"It would also increase economic efficiency, enhance social openness and promote peace in the region," Lu explained.
Noting that the 21st century will dawn in just 19 days, Lu said this is a moment for mankind to reflect on both the remarkable achievements that have allowed humanity to enjoy unparalleled progress and prosperity, and those appalling human errors that have inflicted needless pain and loss on so many over the past century.
Lu said that while the 20th century has been plagued by violence, war, poverty, human rights abuses and gender inequality, at a heavy cost to human dignity, equality, justice and peace, it has also had many encouraging developments of common humanity and values.
"The wave of democratization, the end of the Cold War and the development of information technology have all contributed tremendously to the advent of a global society," Lu said.
She went on to predict that the world in the 21st century will be an "open globe," where resource-sharing and cooperation are stressed. "Thus, the United Nations, a half-century-old world body, should catch up to this new reality," she said.
For one thing, Lu said, the United Nations should stop practicing the "politics of exclusion and discrimination" and should instead embrace the "politics of inclusion, diversity, peace and love."
Stressing that Taiwan is an open society and a true democracy, although it is recognized by only 29 out of 189 U.N. member states, Lu said: "In the new century's 'open world,' it is absolutely absurd for the United Nations to remain deaf and blind to Taiwan's existence."
Lu recalled that former South African President Nelon Mandela once said: "You don't make peace by talking to your friends, you have to make peace with your enemies." "But it is surely just as important to maintain peace with your friends and neighbors. I think the ultimate aim of the current forum is both to make peace and maintain it," she added.