This year as in years past, the Day of German Unity on October 3rd, is a day of joy, a day of gratitude and a day of confidence. We are joyful that our country is no longer torn in two by an inhuman border. We are grateful that so many friendly nations helped us along our way to unity and shared our happiness. We are confident that Germany will push its internal reforms ahead and continue to make positive contributions - alongside our friends and partners - to peace and stability in the world as a member of the European Union, NATO and the United Nations.
Germany has been engaged in the process of building the European Union from the very beginning. This year, Germany with its European partners welcomed the expansion of the EU by the accession of ten new members on 1 May 2004.
The European enlargement marks one of the most important milestones since the Treaty of Rome, which had confirmed the European countries' determination to transcend their old divisions and build their future together. It gives a new dimension to the European enterprise: the enlarged European Union represents, with the addition of 75 million people in the ten new member states, a total of 453 million (7,5 % of the global population). As an entity, it covers 3.929.712 km2 (3 % of the global landmass) and has a GDP of over 9.230 billion Euros (one-fourth of the world's wealth).
The 25-member EU is an unique area of stability in which citizens share the same values. It guarantees its citizens an environment of security and justice without internal borders, and a single market governed by the same rules, thus enforcing both Europe's political and economical power. In its relations with the world, the expanded EU will make a stronger contribution to peace, security, solidarity and respect for human rights. The first European Union Constitution will be a step forward. It reflects constitutional progress, progress in terms of both efficiency and democracy with a number of provisions aiming at more democratic transparent and controllable EU institutions that are closer to the citizen.
With our friends in Taiwan we share common values like democracy, rule of law, human rights, freedom of press and information and we also have the same system of a free market economy and our two countries are both culturally open societies. Our economic partnership with Taiwan remains strong and growing. For Germany Taiwan is the third largest business partner in the whole of Asia. And Germany is Taiwan's largest trade partner in Europe. The good economic outlook for Taiwan in 2004, as well as its commitment to trade liberalisation within the WTO confirms Taiwan as a world level economic and trade power and a solid and dynamic partner for German companies.
Furthermore, there are close and important cultural and scientific ties. Currently about 1.400 Taiwanese are studying in Germany and 25 academic cooperation programs exist between Taiwanese and German universities.
An increasing number of German students come to study in Taiwan, particularly to learn the Chinese language. Taiwan and Germany can work together as well in many other areas, for example, in the protection of the environment, in the development of renewable energy and in the field of high technologies and research.
In the cultural field, prestigious exhibitions have been held such as the National Palace Museum's exhibition "Treasures of the Sons of Heaven" in Berlin and Bonn. And in Taipei the German art exhibition "A Century of German Genius: Masterpieces of the Berlin State Museums from Classicism to Early Modernism" has attracted more than 100.000 visitors. These exhibitions marked epoch-making events in the cultural annals of Taiwan and Germany which will further deepen the mutual understanding between the people of our two countries.
On both sides there is a lot of interest and good will to further enhance the friendly, close and fruitful ties between Taiwan and Germany. Taiwan can continue to count on the Federal Republic of Germany as a reliable friend and partner.
RETHINK? The defense ministry and Navy Command Headquarters could take over the indigenous submarine project and change its production timeline, a source said Admiral Huang Shu-kuang’s (黃曙光) resignation as head of the Indigenous Submarine Program and as a member of the National Security Council could affect the production of submarines, a source said yesterday. Huang in a statement last night said he had decided to resign due to national security concerns while expressing the hope that it would put a stop to political wrangling that only undermines the advancement of the nation’s defense capabilities. Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Vivian Huang (黃珊珊) yesterday said that the admiral, her older brother, felt it was time for him to step down and that he had completed what he
Taiwan has experienced its most significant improvement in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, data provided on Sunday by international higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) showed. Compared with last year’s edition of the rankings, which measure academic excellence and influence, Taiwanese universities made great improvements in the H Index metric, which evaluates research productivity and its impact, with a notable 30 percent increase overall, QS said. Taiwanese universities also made notable progress in the Citations per Paper metric, which measures the impact of research, achieving a 13 percent increase. Taiwanese universities gained 10 percent in Academic Reputation, but declined 18 percent
UNDER DISCUSSION: The combatant command would integrate fast attack boat and anti-ship missile groups to defend waters closest to the coastline, a source said The military could establish a new combatant command as early as 2026, which would be tasked with defending Taiwan’s territorial waters 24 nautical miles (44.4km) from the nation’s coastline, a source familiar with the matter said yesterday. The new command, which would fall under the Naval Command Headquarters, would be led by a vice admiral and integrate existing fast attack boat and anti-ship missile groups, along with the Naval Maritime Surveillance and Reconnaissance Command, said the source, who asked to remain anonymous. It could be launched by 2026, but details are being discussed and no final timetable has been announced, the source
SHOT IN THE ARM: The new system can be integrated with Avenger and Stinger missiles to bolster regional air defense capabilities, a defense ministry report said Domestically developed Land Sword II (陸射劍二) missiles were successfully launched and hit target drones during a live-fire exercise at the Jiupeng Military Base in Pingtung County yesterday. The missiles, developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST), were originally scheduled to launch on Tuesday last week, after the Tomb Sweeping Day holiday long weekend, but were postponed to yesterday due to weather conditions. Local residents and military enthusiasts gathered outside the base to watch the missile tests, with the first one launching at 9:10am. The Land Sword II system, which is derived from the Sky Sword II (天劍二) series, was turned