But the very poorest two billion people are evidence that free trade and globalisation are not enough. We in the European Union should know that.
Ever since the Union was founded, we have helped new member states throw off the shackles of poverty (and we will be trying to do the same this decade with all of Central and Eastern Europe). We have achieved this through free trade, intensive cooperation, financial support and, in particular, partnership with the countries in question.
Ever since the Union was founded, we have helped new member states throw off the shackles of poverty (and we will be trying to do the same this decade with all of Central and Eastern Europe). We have achieved this through free trade, intensive cooperation, financial support and, in particular, partnership with the countries in question.
So let's stop running from one mega-conference to the next in Monterrey, Rome or Johannesburg. We Europeans and Americans have to stop hassling each other about what it means to be an 'anti-globalist' or a 'globalist'. What we need is a consensus on greater development and a consensus on having both Europeans and Americans make greater efforts - including those efforts that are in their own interest.
Last year in Doha developments at the WTO took a very promising turn towards free trade and greater development. But we do not have to wait for the WTO. As Europeans, we can push forward with our own efforts.
Last year in Doha developments at the WTO took a very promising turn towards free trade and greater development. But we do not have to wait for the WTO. As Europeans, we can push forward with our own efforts.
We can make more free trade possible right now. One major step forward in this direction was the European "Everything but Arms" initiative of February 2001, which granted the 48 least developed countries duty- and quota-free access to the European market.
But isn't it hypocritical that precisely those agricultural products which are critically important to many developing countries - such as bananas, rice and sugar - are to a large extent excluded from free access to our market until 2006 and 2009?
But isn't it hypocritical that precisely those agricultural products which are critically important to many developing countries - such as bananas, rice and sugar - are to a large extent excluded from free access to our market until 2006 and 2009?