UN: EU Statement on Globalization and interdependence

UN 61st Session; II Committee, Agenda Item 55(a): Globalization and interdependence; Resolution "Role of the UN in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence"

Explanation of Position by Ms. Tarja Fernández, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Finland to the UN, on behalf of the European Union

New York, 8 December 2006

Mme Chair,

I have the honour of speaking on behalf of the European Union.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey,Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, as well as Moldova align themselves with this declaration.

The EU joins the consensus on this resolution.

We are convinced that all governments need to jointly harness globalization in order to best take advantage of it and reap its benefits for all. Hence, a discussion on globalization and interdependence should reflect all aspects of this phenomenon. We are of the view that singling out one theme in this context does not add value to the discussion. In this regard the report by the Secretariat this year already gave a very narrow view of the issues addressed in the resolution that Member States agreed at the 60th session of the General Assembly. At the level of the UN we believe that a reflection on the developments in globalization, its challenges and opportunities for all should be conducted with an open spirit and with the broadest possible approach as for its scope.

The EU is committed to support developing countries in addressing the challenges and reaping further the benefits in the context of globalization. We firmly believe in the vision that inspired the Millennium Declaration: "Only through broad and sustained efforts to create a shared future, based upon our common humanity in all its diversity, can globalization be made fully inclusive and equitable".

The EU would like to clarify its position on operative paragraph 22. A compromise formulation on this paragraph was achieved on the understanding that the discussion on globalization and interdependence in the sixty-second session of the General Assembly will focus on the benefits and challenges of globalization alike. The text of the resolution itself rightly reflects both the aspects of the phenomenon and we are confident that the SG will avoid to espouse theories that interpret multilateral rules as inimical to development. In this regard, the European Union expects the Secretary General’s report for the sixty-second session of the General Assembly to take into account the full range of commitments, policies and processes, be they national, regional or international, which may have an influence on the implementation of national development strategies. The international commitments to good governance and the primary responsibility of countries for their own development should underpin this analysis. EU considers good governance as being one of the key factors having a positive impact on national development strategies.

The European Union looks forward to future discussions on this issue, in particular in the run up to UNCTAD XII, and is committed to positive and constructive discussions with all our partners with a view to the adoption of consensus outcomes. In that context, the EU interprets the discussion that will be held in New York during the 62nd General Assembly as being a broad discussion in the context of globalization and interdependence and not a parallel track to other processes.

In the coming sessions we hope to further develop the already agreed acquis on globalization under this agenda item on a biennial basis.

Thank you, Mme Chair.

*) Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabiliation and Association Process.