The European Parliament adopted a joint resolution by 253 votes in favour, 196 against, and 9 abstentions on the recent World Economic Forum and the World Social Forum.

Parliament is of the opinion that the World Social Forum should set out action priorities which can be implemented, instead of merely issuing 352 proposals accepted by panels as has been the case this year.

It believes that globalisation must be accompanied by greater efforts to reduce poverty. MEPs welcome the G7 compromise to launch a debt relief programme for poor countries. Parliament recognises debt cancellation as a measure to fight poverty in countries progressing towards democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, and a sustainable economy. Parliament rejects, however, an unconditional cancellation of debt for countries that do not prioritise these issues. The commitment of several European leaders at Davos to the revival of the European economy is welcomed. Parliament also welcomes, in this context, the Lisbon midterm review report by the Commission and urges individual Member States to shoulder their responsibility to make the revised Lisbon Agenda a success.

Parliament‘s commitment to the United Nations Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals is reaffirmed. Parliament welcomes the emphasis that both meetings placed on making world trade fairer and freer. MEPs urge the negotiators at the WTO to take this advice seriously. Parliament also points out the beneficial effect that dismantling trade barriers would have on the recovery of regions hit by the tsunami. Lastly, Parliament stressed the positive impact which the liberalisation of agricultural trade would have on developing countries.

The European Parliament adopted a joint resolution by 253 votes in favour, 196 against, and 9 abstentions on the recent World Economic Forum and the World Social Forum.

Parliament is of the opinion that the World Social Forum should set out action priorities which can be implemented, instead of merely issuing 352 proposals accepted by panels as has been the case this year.

It believes that globalisation must be accompanied by greater efforts to reduce poverty. MEPs welcome the G7 compromise to launch a debt relief programme for poor countries. Parliament recognises debt cancellation as a measure to fight poverty in countries progressing towards democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, and a sustainable economy. Parliament rejects, however, an unconditional cancellation of debt for countries that do not prioritise these issues. The commitment of several European leaders at Davos to the revival of the European economy is welcomed. Parliament also welcomes, in this context, the Lisbon midterm review report by the Commission and urges individual Member States to shoulder their responsibility to make the revised Lisbon Agenda a success.

Parliament‘s commitment to the United Nations Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals is reaffirmed. Parliament welcomes the emphasis that both meetings placed on making world trade fairer and freer. MEPs urge the negotiators at the WTO to take this advice seriously. Parliament also points out the beneficial effect that dismantling trade barriers would have on the recovery of regions hit by the tsunami. Lastly, Parliament stressed the positive impact which the liberalisation of agricultural trade would have on developing countries.