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Press Release 28 July 2005 For immediate release |
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Press Release 28 July 2005 For immediate release |
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ON BEHALF OF THE SEATTLE TO BRUSSELS NETWORK
European civil society groups were joined by a giant Peter Mandelson 'puppet', operated by 'European big business' outside the EU's Delegation in Geneva today (28 July) to protest against the corporate agenda being pursued by the European Commission in trade talks at the WTO this week. European Trade Commissioner, Peter Mandelson arrives in Geneva today. The protest took place immediately before his press conference at the EU Delegation which started at 3.30 pm. The action, staged by the Seattle to Brussels network - an alliance of European groups campaigning on trade issues - showed the privileged relationship between the European Commission and big business which ensures that the EU policies currently serve commercial interests rather than the public and the planet. Campaigners demanded that the EU halt its aggressive attempts to open up developing country markets for the benefit of European multinational through negotiations on industrial goods, natural resources and services at the WTO. The groups are part of hundreds of civil society campaigners from around the global gathered in Geneva this week during the WTO General Council. Campaigners are determined to stop a repeat of last year's July General Council where developing countries were ambushed by rich countries and a framework for negotiations was agreed which commits developing countries to slashing industrial tariffs, and links negotiations to open markets in services to cuts in agricultural subsidies. Many NGOs believe the ongoing corporate led services negotiations pose a threat to the ability of countries to regulate basic services in the pursuit of social and development goals. The industrial tariff [NAMA] negotiations being pushed by the EU could further deepen the deindustrialisation and environmental crisis in developing countries. Peter Hardstaff, Head of Policy at the UK based World Development Movement, today said: "Despite developing countries standing their ground in Cancun, rich country interests continue to dominate the agenda in negotiations at the WTO. It is not the case that some form of deal has to be reached at all costs. If a bad deal is all that is on offer for developing countries, then it will be better for them not to agree. We will continue to argue that unless the EU changes its undemocratic approach to negotiations and drops its corporate trade agenda, no deal at the WTO is better than a bad deal." Alexandra Wandel , trade coordinator of Friends of the Earth Europe said: "With Peter Mandelson as EU Trade Commissioner democracy takes another blow from spin and big business. Big corporations will be the big winners, people and the environment the losers of the EU's trade agenda. The time has come to fundamentally change the trade policies of the EU and to make them just, sustainable and democratically accountable." ENDS The People's General Council is being held in Geneva from 27-29 July. Information can be found at www.omc-wto.org The Seattle to Brussels (S2B) Network is a pan-European network campaigning to promote a sustainable, socially and democratically accountable system of trade. More information can be found at www.s2bnetwork.org Seattle to Brussels groups participating in civil society events in Geneva are 11.11.11, Belgium, Attac Austria, France, Germany, Hungary,Romania, Switzerland, Berne Declaration, Switzerland, Both Ends, the Netherlands, BUND, Germany, CBRM, Italy, ChristianAid, UK, FoEE, Greenpeace International, IATP, Geneva, Initiative Colibri, Germany, Roba dell'Altro Mondo, Italy, WEED, Germany, WIDE, Belgium. Contacts: - Dave Timms, World Development Movement, (in Geneva from 27-30 July, speaks English only) +44 (0)7711 875 345 or dave@wdm.org.uk
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