Minister Lehtomäki: Trade and development bolster one another
The round of WTO negotiations has raised many crucial issues, said the Minister, though the process is still underway. She said that the results of the UN’s Monterrey and Johannesburg summits were encouraging. “But the decisions taken must be carried out. As a rich western country and through its chairing duties of the UN’s millennial meetings, Finland has a special responsibility in this area.”
Lehtomäki said that this is more specifically evident in Finland’s participation on the level of official development assistance. “Our government programme commits Finland to increasing the development budget, and in line with the goal of the Holkeri working group we aim to reach the 0.7 percent level by 2010. In May we will hold more detailed talks on the annual spending increase. My job is to see that this is realised and put into practice.”
Ms Lehtomäki said that in increasing the development budget the share of spending on NGOs will need to be examined with an open mind.
”But development aid is not enough,” said the Minister. ”Trade and its ground rules have at least as big an impact on development. With fair trade and impartially open markets all have the chance to succeed better, to acquire wealth and to have the societal ability to provide help to those in need.
"At the same time, when it comes to trade questions we have to defend the interests of Finnish companies and thus of Finnish jobs and our social welfare. The central aim of the whole government is to improve employment. This angle cannot and will not be forgotten when we take care of our responsibilities. Finland cannot on its own make sacrifices at its own national expense nor alter the structures of international trade – as change starts by evaluating and developing the fairness of the system internationally.
“Consistence between trade and development policy represents a challenge that I can’t evade. It is written into my tasks as minister. The pressure to achieve this consistency comes precisely from those who carry out development assistance.
“I can’t promise quick solutions. But I will examine this above all as an ambitious but practical issue in which the whole ministry and other actors have much to learn.”
Ms Lehtomäki said that it is sometimes necessary to bring a broader perspective to the ongoing political agenda. The last government, through the Foreign Ministry, initiated the ‘Helsinki process’ whereby Finland has taken responsibility for tackling globalisation problems by developing thinking on issues of global governance.
”The new government supports this fully through its programme. Together with my colleague Foreign Minister Tuomioja we will support and guide this process appropriately. It will create a new channel for NGOs to participate equally in policy planning – a gesture to those concerned about the situation in the world.
“Dialogue and moving forward has to go beyond small cliques. It demands an ability to listen, to take into account and present other alternatives. Global civil society must face this challenge if it really wants to do its bit for the world and political governance in the 21st century.”
Ms Lehtomäki said that in addition to human welfare and coping global justice concerns the security of the peoples of the world.
”I am ready for my part to share in this responsibility. It may be inappropriate to expect too rapid results, but I will carry my duties faithful to my heart and mind – as one should within the good framework of the Finnish political system.”
Further information: Satu Mäki, Special Assistant to the Minister, cell phone: 040 8293298