The
EU has always
played a leading
role in bridging
developing countries
more fully into
the process
of multilateral
trade negotiations.
The multilateral
process continues
however to generate
suspicion and
uncertainty
in many of these
developing countries,
mainly because
the issues are
complex and
also because
they have profound
implications
on domestic
politics, which
in the short
to medium term
are often negative.
The problem
is that many
of these countries
feel that their
concerns are
not taken seriously
or that they
are not given
enough time
to study and
consider the
various proposals
being negotiated.
They also feel
they are constantly
outgunned and
outmanoeuvred
by the more
powerful trading
nations.
This paper will
argue that the
EU can play
a very specific
and constructive
role in creating
an environment
in multilateral
trade negotiations
that not only
brings developing
countries more
fully into the
process, but
also makes them
feel that they
are partners
in the construction
of multilateral
trade agreements
and not simply
spectators.
This paper will
fully argue
that this is
not simply a
matter of technical
skill or capacity
building or
resources, though
these are important,
but is mainly
a question of
domestic political
processes in
many of these
developing countries.
The process
of creating
a domestic political
consensus around
issues being
negotiated themselves.
The EU, with
its uniquely
historical ties
to many developing
country members,
can play a special
role in contributing
to a process
that gives developing
countries the
time and space
to consider
and adsorb the
implications
of the various
negotiating
proposals, and
so become fuller
and more constructive
partners in
the multilateral
process.
