M
Matt25
Guest
zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=82069
HONG KONG, DEC. 22, 2005 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See insists that the system of international commercial rules must become a means to achieve the integral development of all peoples and the reduction of poverty. Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Holy See’s permanent observer to the U.N. offices in Geneva, delivered that message when he addressed the ministerial summit of the World Trade Organization, held in Hong Kong from Dec. 13-18. “Free trade is not an end in itself but rather a means for better living standards and the human development of people at all levels,” said the prelate in his address delivered in English. “The universal destination of the goods of the earth requires that the poor and marginalized should be the focus of particular concerns,” he added…
“Protectionism too often favors already privileged segments of society. Effective multilateralism, on the other hand, is an inclusive process which acknowledges that at the core of all social and economic relations, and hence of trade relations, is the human person, with dignity and inalienable human rights. Therefore, a rules-based trade system or, better, a fair system of trade rules is indispensable,” Archbishop Tomasi added. “The Holy See,” he continued, "recognizes the benefit of an equitable and participatory multilateral system of trade relations directed to attaining and developing the common good.
“A fair system of trade rules should be shaped according to the level of economic development of the member states and give explicit support and special and differential treatment to the poorest countries. When the levels of development of the members are excessively unequal, the consent of the parties may not be sufficient to guarantee the justice of their agreement,”
HONG KONG, DEC. 22, 2005 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See insists that the system of international commercial rules must become a means to achieve the integral development of all peoples and the reduction of poverty. Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Holy See’s permanent observer to the U.N. offices in Geneva, delivered that message when he addressed the ministerial summit of the World Trade Organization, held in Hong Kong from Dec. 13-18. “Free trade is not an end in itself but rather a means for better living standards and the human development of people at all levels,” said the prelate in his address delivered in English. “The universal destination of the goods of the earth requires that the poor and marginalized should be the focus of particular concerns,” he added…
“Protectionism too often favors already privileged segments of society. Effective multilateralism, on the other hand, is an inclusive process which acknowledges that at the core of all social and economic relations, and hence of trade relations, is the human person, with dignity and inalienable human rights. Therefore, a rules-based trade system or, better, a fair system of trade rules is indispensable,” Archbishop Tomasi added. “The Holy See,” he continued, "recognizes the benefit of an equitable and participatory multilateral system of trade relations directed to attaining and developing the common good.
“A fair system of trade rules should be shaped according to the level of economic development of the member states and give explicit support and special and differential treatment to the poorest countries. When the levels of development of the members are excessively unequal, the consent of the parties may not be sufficient to guarantee the justice of their agreement,”