Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-02-21-Speech-1-122"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20050221.14.1-122"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:translated text |
"Mr President, whether gathered against the backdrop of the Swiss mountains or the Brazilian coast, I am convinced that all participants in the Davos and Porto Alegre conferences were united in the one goal of tackling poverty and economic development. It is therefore particularly pleasing to see that in Davos and in Porto Alegre, the crucial importance of liberalising world trade was recognised. Economic growth is the cornerstone of development in developing countries, whether we are dealing with climate change or guaranteeing good education. It follows on from this that I cannot emphasise strongly enough the need for the forthcoming Doha round to be a success, and the crucial role that the Commission and the Member States have to play in this. Whoever is serious about aid to the developing countries should not be blind to what goes wrong at home. Europe’s tariff barriers are, to my mind, an example of how things should not be done. Alongside positive points, there are also a few negative points to be identified. The pleas for extra tax on international financial transactions, the famous Tobin tax, strike me as eccentric, as does the extra tax for multinational companies. I see no good in such measures. They put the cart before the horse. Those who strive towards freer world trade should not impose new rules at the same time.
Finally, I am surprised at those who promote unconditional debt cancellation for the developing countries. My group finds it simply unacceptable that this should be done without conditions being imposed. We believe that countries actively and successfully pursuing democracy and good governance should be able to count on support, but debt relief should not be granted without a commitment to that. The liberal priorities are freer world trade and the emphasis on economic development. That is the way to fight poverty and is, at the same time, the basis for an effective and affordable social safety net. It also allows us to pursue a more environmentally-friendly policy as a result. The question is: will we all go down together in apathetic solidarity, or will we opt for dynamism, innovation and progress? I welcome the leadership of the Commission President to opt for the latter. That, President Barroso, is a political role and we specifically want you to act politically. I consider your position in the Portuguese elections to be very justifiable, and your absence would, moreover, have been construed as complete disloyalty to your Portuguese heritage. I find your involvement very valid and I only regret that it did not benefit your Party more."@en1
|
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples