Portuguese sailors described Taiwan as "Ilha Formosa" during the 16th Century. (Courtesy of Shegaon Co.)

An integrated Europe emerged from the turbulence of war and disaster, and today Europeans enjoy peace, prosperity, strength, and freedom.

The integration of Europe has several noteworthy attributes: First, integration was the direct result of a desire to avoid war. Both Napoleon's and Hitler's attempts to unify Europe through force ended in tragedy; thus, we can see that unification by force or threat of force is totally inappropriate. The correct approach to integration is through peaceful negotiation and mutual trust.

Second, integration must be accomplished with the consent of the people. In the process of European integration, the participation of each nation was thoroughly evaluated and approved by a vote of its citizens. Duress was never applied. Annexation is not genuine integration, and such would have prevented true unity among nations.

Third, integration begins with economic cooperation and gradually expands to other areas. Once there is a solid economic foundation, progress can be made in other areas, such as legal, foreign, military, and internal affairs. Without carefully considered plans and appropriate arrangements, integration will bring disaster, instead of contributing to the welfare of the nation.

Finally, integration must be based on the principle of parity 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 intimidate others. Parity and respect were key elements in successful 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 remained stagnant.

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. 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. The ROC has adopted a new strategy to promote relations with Europe, particularly individual parliaments, political parties, cities, academic and research institutions, as well as human rights, and other non-governmental organizations.

One of Asia's most vibrant economies, the ROC has expanded its international relations to make additional contributions to the global community. (Photo by Yeh Ming-yuan)

The ROC plans to establish a representative office for the European Union at the earliest possible date to manage EU affairs and enhance our presence in Europe. The European Union is scheduled to set up a representative office in Taipei, 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 largest trading partner, and the organization can serve the interests of both sides.

In the past, European support has facilitated Taiwan's accession to the World Trade Organization, which will further expand Taiwan's market. Economic and trade relations between Taiwan and Europe will be further strengthened within the WTO structure. The ROC is willing to work with various European nations to fulfill its responsibility as a member of the international community, and Europe's strong support will enable the ROC to contribute even more to the world.

Since its establishment in 1988, the European Council of Commerce and Trade (ECCT) in Taipei has made significant contributions 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 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. The ECCT will continue to show its concern and support for the ROC, and provide suggestions and advice on how to strengthen this valued partnership.