Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-02-21-Speech-1-109"
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"en.20050221.14.1-109"2
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".
Mr President, perhaps I am breaching the working time directive this evening!
First, we should not deny that, while the agenda are converging, the two audiences are looking at the issues involved from different angles. Nevertheless, the representation of civil society is increasing in the World Economic Forum, and there is a broadening range of participants in the World Social Forum.
I took two key messages away with me from Davos. First, we must act together to solve global problems ranging from poverty and development to climate change. I was proud to see that European leaders such as Jacques Chirac, Tony Blair and Gerhard Schröder were ready to set the pace. They took the initiative to propose some important ideas.
Second, we need to light the flame of economic dynamism to stimulate reform around the world, not as a goal in itself, but as the best means of offering more people the chance of a decent life. We can turn globalisation into an advantage. European leadership is required to face the challenges arising from globalisation.
Finally, Europe can do a lot, but we can certainly achieve more if we are able to act together with other partners to address global challenges. This is the message that I will pass on to President George Bush tomorrow.
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, we must find the means to ensure that the commitment of the participants in the World Economic Forum and the World Social Forum bears fruit. Europe must provide a link between the very different perceptions of the possible consequences of globalisation. In this regard, I would like to respond in several ways.
First of all, the European Union is, and must remain, an ambitious player on the world stage. It is the largest integrated market. Its gross domestic product is the largest in the world and it is the world's top player in international trade. We, the European Union, are the largest provider of international aid and, as the tsunami tragedy has demonstrated, we are prepared to show solidarity. Thanks to the euro in particular, we are a key partner in the field of international financial relations. We must use our network of bilateral relations to move things forward, to encourage change and to promote respect for fundamental rights and freedoms.
Furthermore, if we acknowledge that we are a world player and that our ambition is to play a decisive role, we must champion an effective form of multilateralism. We must continue to promote the development of a world order founded upon the rule of law, but that rule of law must not just serve the interests of the rich western countries. We must demonstrate solidarity.
This is why we are expressing our commitment to the United Nations, our determination to seek creative international solutions in order to improve prospects in Africa – as I have said, Africa will be our priority – and our desire to promote the quick completion of the Doha development round.
Finally, the European Union must mobilise a wide range of political instruments aimed at improving the fate of our neighbours in the world. We must take the best advantage of the new possibilities offered to us by the Constitution thanks to the creation of the post of foreign affairs minister and of a European foreign action service.
We must, however, also focus our attention on the priorities and achieve concrete results. These objectives will be reflected in the initiatives we take, such as reviewing the European Union's approaches to sustainable development and preparing the review of the Millennium development objectives. They are objectives that already form an integral part of the European Union's partnership for growth and employment, which I launched at the beginning of this month.
Over the coming years we will do much together that could help shape the world in which we live. This is a unique chance to address a unique phenomenon. Managing the impact of globalisation, both at home and across the world, represents an unprecedented challenge. If we get it right, we can offer billions of people a decent chance in life, tackling extreme poverty, fighting disease and hunger, promoting good governance and supporting development and inclusion, with the structures and financial means to bring them about. If we fail, we will sow the seeds of continuing injustice, division and instability. That is why this Commission has proposed a programme which is as relevant to Europe as it is to our partners around the world. It is designed to spread prosperity, strengthen solidarity and offer security.
I shall conclude now. The European Union is a world player. We must accept that responsibility. We must contribute actively to defining the new world order and enhance international governance founded upon the rule of law. Europe has a very specific contribution to make. We must strengthen the European Union as a civil power. We must ensure that the ideas of peace and democracy and the principles of the market economy are disseminated throughout the world: the principles of open societies. We have the instruments needed to make a real difference.
The European Union must, therefore, respond to the hopes placed in us both by our citizens and by our international partners, whether it be in Davos or in Porto Alegre.
We must offer an internal and an external response. Inside the Union, we must boost cohesion and deliver the full potential of our recent and future enlargements. Through our social agenda we must continue to fight exclusion and poverty; we must help more people find work in a dynamic and growing economy; and we must change attitudes and behaviour, supporting our goal of sustainable development by taking ambitious action. Outside the Union, we must pursue the Millennium Development Goals with renewed energy and imagination. Creating this fresh momentum is a key goal of our ongoing review of sustainable development, ensuring that our internal and external actions are better coordinated.
As Europeans, our shared values and experience can be a major force for improving the quality of life of billions of people around the globe. Our unique model of cooperation is inspiring regional cooperation, for example the development of the African Union. It ensures that our voice is listened to when it comes to reforming international institutions.
Last week, the Kyoto Protocol entered into force. Kyoto is a good example of our ability to bring a European perspective to helping shape developments at a global level. Kyoto and the Millennium Development Goals also highlight the dilemma we face. We must deliver effective action at a global level, but we must also drum up wide support for our proposed action among countries and civil society.
That is the new reality of global governance that is taking shape. It is defined as much by our formal gatherings in the WTO, the World Bank, the G8 as by the more informal settings provided by the World Social Forum or the World Economic Forum. That is why I welcome our debate today.
Both Porto Alegre and Davos stand as symbols of one real benefit of globalisation: our ability to engage in continued dialogue at an international level with regard to the type of society we want. This possibility is giving more people a voice in shaping our future. While such meetings do not necessarily set a political agenda, they act as a sounding board for a broad spectrum of public opinion.
Let me elaborate on the events in Davos and Porto Alegre. This year, I participated in the event at Davos; next year I hope the Commission will be able to join the 150 000 people attending the World Social Forum. Fortunately, in Davos I was able to talk about Porto Alegre in detail with President Lula of Brazil, a good friend of mine. I have great respect for his vision and commitment to making globalisation work and reducing global disparities. Our discussions gave me a sense of the mood in Porto Alegre. One thing which struck me above all else is how the agenda of both gatherings are tending to converge. Davos was not a hotbed of neo-liberalism, nor was Porto Alegre simply an anti-Davos demonstration.
Among other issues, the discussions focused on the fight against poverty, the situation in Africa, the role of trade and economic dynamism in spreading prosperity and opportunity, the need for a sustainable path for global development and the challenges of global security. I could draw a number of lessons from what I heard."@en1
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