President Chen Shui-bian attended the the Europe Day Dinner of European Chamber of Commerce Taipei. During his speech, the President said:
Chairman and Mrs. Sanger of the European Chamber of Commerce Taipei (ECCT), Director McDonald of the European Economic & Trade Office, Supervisor Hirt of ECCT, Vice Premier Wu, Vice President Chung, Former Vice President Chiang of the Legislative Yuan, Minister Ho of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Chairman Hu of the Council of Economic Planning & Development, Secretary-General Lee of the Executive Yuan, Director Laurin of the French Institute in Taipei, Director General Marsh of the British Trade and Cultural Office, Chairman Huang of the Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce, European Representatives in Taiwan, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: Good evening!
I am pleased and honored to be invited once again to this year's Europe Day Dinner, celebrating with all of you this important day that commemorates the birth of a peaceful and prosperous Europe. On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your long-term contributions in strengthening the economic and trade relations between Europe and Taiwan.
During the past five years since my first presidential inauguration, I have attended every Europe Day Dinner and have witnessed the impressive developments of the European Union. In May of last year, with the addition of ten new member states, the Union became the largest economic entity in the world. Subsequently, on October 29 of the same year, the Union's 25 members formally signed the treaty to establish the European Constitution. Henceforth, the European Union, in forging a political alliance, has reached yet another important milestone. Even though this treaty still awaits ratification from EU's member states, the EU has, in the past decades, successfully integrated the common interests of member states by first introducing economic integration, followed by political integration. All the meanwhile, EU has upheld the principle of democracy, parity and peace and has given full respect to each member state and the will of their peoples. These valuable experiences carry great significance for regional integration and set an example in the formation of a new international order. In addition, they also serve as an important reference to our government in handling cross-Strait issues.
Despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations between Taiwan and the EU, the Union has always supported Taiwan's democratic developments and our efforts to participate in international organizations. Indeed, our people have been blessed with the genuine friendship from the people of Europe. On the issues of cross-Strait relations, the European Parliament has repeatedly reaffirmed its position and has passed many resolutions in favor of constructive dialogue and peaceful means to settle disputes between the two sides of the Strait. The European Parliament has also voiced its strong opposition to the use of force. When China unilaterally passed the so-call "Anti-Separation Law" in March of this year, undermining the peaceful status quo across the Strait and also posing a serious challenge to security and order in the Asia-Pacific region, we are pleased to see the efforts by the European Parliament in expressing their deep concerns and appealing for the resumption of dialogue between the two sides of the Strait to settle disputes. We deeply appreciate the commitment of the European Parliament to promote world peace and justice. I would like to take this opportunity to make a sincere appeal for democracy, freedom and human rights, which are the universal principles for the sustainable growth of human kind. Upholding these values, let us work hand-in-hand for the future of global peace.
The Republic of China (Taiwan) is an independent, sovereign country and its sovereignty is vested in the 23 million people of Taiwan. The people of Taiwan respect and uphold democracy, freedom, human rights and peace and we aspire to fulfill the duties and responsibilities as a member of the international community. In the past years, we have endeavored to participate in the World Health Organization. We have been denied nine times before, but we shall not be discouraged and we will persist in our efforts. Recently, our hope was renewed by the approval of the amendments to the WHO's International Health Regulations (IHR). The content of that resolution instructs member countries and the WHO Director-General to adopt the principle of universal application. This would allow Taiwan to be included at the operational level of the world health body and participate in international health exchanges; the principle of "health care without borders," therefore, may no longer be an impossible dream. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to those countries that have supported us in this endeavor, especially to member states of the European Union. At last, Taiwan's 23 million people may benefit from the attention of the international health community; and the protection of our international human rights has finally taken a positive step forward.
Economy is the lifeline of Taiwan's developments. However, economic globalization now presents a serious challenge for Taiwan's economic growth. The goals of our economic development have always been the following: strengthening our national competitiveness, building an excellent investment and operation environment to attract international capital and human resources, and supporting businesses in their globalization efforts to keep pace with international corporations. In the past years, along with the increase of Taiwan's economic competitiveness, the Europe-Taiwan relations have also grown closer. Europe is now Taiwan's major trading partner; it also stands as an important market for Taiwan's trade diversification, and a hub for technology transfer. The establishment of the European Economic and Trade Office in 2003 symbolizes the stable development of Taiwan's economic, trade and business ties with the European Union. At present, bilateral trade and investment flows have made Taiwan the most important economic partner in Asia for the European Union. In the future, we hope to continue strengthening this relationship by making it more pragmatic and more constructive, as well as increasing our exchanges in trade, investments, research and education.
The European Chamber of Commerce Taipei is the key institution that helps promote the interests of European businesses in Taiwan. Since its establishment in 1988, this important organization has played a pivotal role in fostering bilateral relations and exchanges between Taiwan and Europe. All of you here are friends of Taiwan and are witnesses to the fruits of our hard work. Taiwan now ranks eleventh in the 2005 Global Competitiveness Report published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD). Last year, Taiwan rose from 17th place in year 2003 to 12th place, and was considered one of the fastest growing countries in the world. The next target we would like to attain is to be among the world's top ten. Despite the fact that intense political contention amongst different political parties has slowed down the necessary steps for government reforms, and that there is room for improvement in terms of effective governance, we believe that in Taiwan's society, where democratic values and freedom prevail, the inexhaustible source of our people's entrepreneurial spirits is the most valuable asset we have for the continued economic progress in this country. Therefore, it is my earnest hope that your organization may fully coalesce such abundant energy to bolster the economic and trade relations between Taiwan and the European Union.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all of you for your longstanding support of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and I shall count on your continued support. I also believe that by working together, we can bring about even more vigorous growth for the substantive relations between Europe and Taiwan. In closing, I wish everyone good health, peace and happiness. Thank you very much.