Brussels, 22/11/2000 (Agence Europe) - European Commissioner Pascal Lamy opens, on Thursday, a new chapter on dialogue between his services and the representatives of the civil society in relation to trade. The question of integrating sustainable development goals into a trade policy that remains viable was at the heart of his speech before one hundred representatives from non-governmental organisations, companies and trade union movements, invited to meet Mr Lamy in Brussels. Mr Lamy, who will chair the two hours of meetings, will mainly report on action carried out in order to improve the access of developing countries to essential medicines, and on Commission proposals aimed at modifying the political base of the common trade policy, etc.
The session's agenda, which is to end at 13.00 hrs., also provides for looking at the state of preparations and prospects for a new global trade negotiating round, as well as progress accomplished and the next stages of the dialogue with civil society.
On the eve of the meeting, Mr. Lamy stressed that he attached the "greatest importance on the fact that civil society should not only be informed but fully involved in the way in which the EU conducts its trade policy, given that trade has a direct impact on our citizens. These consultations are central to that process", he added.