演讲稿（英文稿）5
Conclusion
The challenges I have described will be around for many years. And there will be other developments that will also impact the stability of our region. We should therefore have a long-term vision of how we can manage such challenges. East Asia should evolve a framework that can ensure peace within region.
One such framework can be the East Asia Free Trade Area, or EAFTA. EAFTA is a practical and realistic way to enmesh the economies of East Asia. When East Asian economies are interdependent and intertwined, they will have a shared future. This sense of a common future, of being in the same boat, will help prevent intra-East Asia conflict.
EAFTA is not meant to be immediately realized. It can be a medium term goal, achieved by building on the bilateral FTAs now being pursued, such as the FTAs Japan is discussing with Thailand and the Philippines, and the sub-regional FTAs between ASEAN and China and Japan. EAFTA can include Taiwan under the "One China" principle, and even North Korea if it decides to open up.
The years and effort put in to achieve EAFTA will build up understanding and trust among the East Asian economies. This, plus the real benefits of interlocking relationship in a free trade area, will prevent future disputes from getting out of hand. And even if there are serious disputes, there will be established channels of communication and mechanisms to deal with them.
Here, we can learn from Europe. Europe has suffered many wars, the latest being last century's two World Wars. These wars were one of the primary impetuses behind the formation of the European Community. The thinking was that if the countries of Europe worked together for the common good in an alliance, and their fortunes were inextricably interwoven, this would discourage wars between members.
Europe has succeeded. There have been no wars between traditional rivals in the last half-century, and none are in sight. So powerful is the idea of the EU that we are now seeing a long queue of countries to join it. The EU's expansion is not just for economic prosperity. It is to widen the region of peace and harmony in Europe.
Likewise, East Asia, which has also seen wars among member countries, should have the vision, courage and wisdom to aim for an East Asian Community as a long-term goal.
EAFTA can be the vehicle to bring this about. The idea has already been floated in previous ASEAN+3 Summits. But it needs a push. ASEAN+3 should set things in motion, identifying and pursuing areas of co-operation within East Asia. We must breathe life into EAFTA, so that 50 years from now, when the geo-political situation is different, we in East Asia will still be able to live in peace, harmony and prosperity.
Singapore has little say in the reshaping of the world. Japan, on the other hand, can certainly influence the course of events here in East Asia. Let us together exercise initiative to bind the region close for our national common good.