TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 29 (UPI) -- Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has urged the European Union to play an active role in assisting Asian countries in developing democracy and peace.
Chen has also urged the EU to give stronger support to Taiwan's bid to participate in international organizations, the Taipei Times reported Saturday.
"We have realized that following the further integration and expansion of the EU, the union in the future will play a much more important role in international affairs, including in the Asia-Pacific region," Chen said in an address to the annual Europe Day dinner Friday hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce Taipei.
Chen said the success of the EU has structurally affected the principle of national sovereignty and challenged traditional notions of national boundaries, while still respecting self-determination for individual countries.
Chen said Taiwan values democracy, human rights and peace, which the EU also consistently values for creating regional stability and development.
