Brussels, 19/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - Campaigning for the European elections, Marie-Anne Isler-Béguin (France, Greens), leading candidate for Eastern France region, is mobilising for the EU to regulate globalisation. The written declaration she submitted to the European Parliament on Tuesday for the "optimisation of economic exchange frameworks between the EU and third countries" aims to question the Community institutions on the downside of globalisation, namely the closure and relocation of Community or third country businesses to regions with less ambitious social and environmental conditions. The text calls on "the spirit of European institutions that claim to uphold the primacy of democratic, social and environmental values above the economic and industrial dynamic", to encourage fair trade in its dealings with developing countries and the WTO. It also calls for an alignment of Community investments in third countries according to the socio-economic and environmental requirements in force in the Union.
This declaration is open to counter-signature from MEPs for three months.