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7/30/05

OneWorld UK - European Union 'backs big business' in trade talks

OneWorld

European Union 'backs big business' in trade talks

The European Union has once again demonstrated that the interests of European big business are its top priority in these talks, claimed development campaigners the World Development Movement (WDM) in Geneva today. Despite the 'development round' rhetoric the interests of the poor are being opposed, sidelined and ignored. WDM Head of Policy Peter Hardstaff today said: "Attempts by developed countries, corporate lobby groups and Supachai Panitchpakdi to create a sense of crisis in order to ramp up the pressure for a deal have failed. We have not seen a repeat of last year's July General Council meeting where a last minute stitch-up was achieved by a small group of countries whose Ministers were present. Many developing countries have this time stood their ground in the hope of a more considered and transparent process. "The world needs a multilateral trading system that works in favour of the poor. The current state of play in negotiations show that the WTO is a long way from that objective." Several delegations, and the Africa Group as a whole, have expressed their anger at being excluded from negotiations during this General Council.

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