In our view, the challenge is to ensure that the gains from trade are indeed contributing to poverty eradication. Trade, development and poverty eradication must be linked, at the national level. We are committed to playing our part. But external assistance cannot substitute for good national policies. It can only support their elaboration and implementation.
Dialogue therefore plays a central role.
We are here today and during the whole Conference to continue and deepen this dialogue. Our overall aim should be to achieve the target set by the UN to reduce by half the number of people living in extreme poverty and suffering from hunger by 2015. The European Community takes its share of global responsibility in achieving this aim.