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Sunday, November 03, 1996
president Mubarak Speech Group - 15, Harare President Robert Mugabe, Heads of State and Government, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my pleasure to meet here in the sisterly country of Zimbabwe as we appreciate its leadership, people , and the big role it plays in the interest of Africa and the third world during this critical stage in the history of humanity. We are confident that the wise leadership of President Robert Mugabe and his chairmanship of the Group 15 will guarantee the success of our summit, cement our mutual interdependence and joint cooperation and give an impetus to our incessant efforts to achieve development and welfare for our peoples. I would like to seize this opportunity to express our deep thanks and appreciation to President Carlos Menem and the Government of Argentina for the active constructive efforts exerted during his chairmanship of the Group, as well as for the offer presented by Malaysia to host the coming summit in Kuala Lumpur. Mr. President, The Summit of Harare is held at a critical and decisive stage of the history of international economic and political relations, in which we face contradicting phenomena that witness integration among countries in certain areas. Simultaneously we witness trends towards partition, disintegration and marginalization among other countries, particularly our developing countries which are in dire need of integration and solidarity. Such varied phenomena make it difficult for the international community to effectively and decisively handle the problems of poverty and backwardness from which the developing countries suffer in an era that witnesses a feverish race to keep pace with the scientific and technological progress and change all walks of life on this planet. On the positive level, the developing countries now play a more significant role in the global economic activity. Predictions point out that such a role will continue to grow. Hence we have to inforce it in contemporary international status quo, and realize a tangible contribution in making significant economic decisions at the international level. In response to these new challenges in the World Order, the members of Group 15 have to conduct a comprehensive dialogue to renew their economic thought since the theories of development which prevailed in the past can no longer face the new development strategies which aim at withstanding the renewable challenges and make use of the tremendous opportunities given by the present and the future. There is an obvious recognition in our developing countries of the importance of unleashing the dynamics of the private sector, liberalizing our markets, attracting direct foreign investments and adopting a new method of development based on a tangible boost of exports. On the other hand, the spread of globalization and mutual interdependence among countries, make the success of our states' policies depend on the existence of an appropriate global atmosphere, the adoption of the advanced countries to policies aiming at facilitating the access of the basic products of the developing countries to their markets, and the transfer of technology to our societies and offering the necessary assitance to achieve an effective participation between the advanced and developing countries. In other words, the success of our efforts in that direction depends to a certain extent on the experience and response of other countries. Undoubtedly, this situation increases the responsibility shouldered by the member states of the Group of 15 which represent the most dynamic economics in the three continents, that witness active movement and significant developments on the level of economic reform, and broad domains for benefiting from the chances of regional integration. Cooperation among the Group states can be intensified to become an example to be followed by the other countries of the three continents. Our countries managed, during the past six years, to achieve tangible progress in boosting economic cooperation among them, and implementing joint projects. The increase rates of the volume of trade and joint investment during the last years are encouraging. We have realized that cooperation among the Group states-whether on the bilateral or multilateral levels- does not only enhance the power of each state, but it also greatly affects the position of the Group as a whole, within the framework of global economy and its weight on the international level as well. To our relief we have noticed in the past years, a promising trend towards the increase in the volume of exchange with various states of the Group in different fields whether in commercial dealings, or economic cooperation. We aspire for the sustenance of such trend for which we confirm our commitment and foster it within the coming years, especially that we have begun to reap the fruits of our economic reform, and adjust to the ambitious structure for which we have already taken long strides since we began its implementation in 1991, and followed up its third phase last month. I would like to reassure you that the economic atmosphere in Egypt develops steadily and positively, that of investment, is currently more appealing and favourable for direct foreign investment. This is an experience we submit before our sisterly developed countries. We hope it might somehow be useful at a time wherein preference between multiple alternatives and choices is sharp for realizing progress. Mr. President, We considered G-15 projects practical models of a fruitful cooperation among nations and a step to expand this practical cooperation to include the rest of the developing countries, but what is achieved so far is further below our ambitions. Besides agreed upon projects did not, in most cases, include the rest of the developing countries. We must work together to foster cooperation between the nations of the South. I also call upon this forum to consult the possibilities of confronting the challenges imposed by the globalization phenomenon and developing countries marginalization at the advent of the 21st century, along with the necessity of conducting a constructive dialogue with the G-7 to settle these problems, maintain justice in order to reach solutions for these problems. In this respect, I would like to highlight the investment, trade and technology committee being an important machinery which allows regular interaction, positive participation between makers of economic policies and the private sector. We are sure that this dialogue in this forum will lead to strengthening cooperation between the nations of the Group, discussing the consequent problems of information deficiency, facilities and services to develop trade and investment. We greatly depend on implementing the committee agenda, and insist on activating it to utilize the increasing commercial and investment flow among the states of the Group. Mr. President, Consultation between the states of the South concerning issues of mutual interest is one of the cornerstones of this summit, especially in realms related to the development of the international environment and the economic situation. Other topics will be posed for discussions during the first ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization due to be convened in Singapore next December. Therefore, the Singapore Conference must focus on the full implementation of the agreements of the Uruguay Round including their negative impacts on the less developing countries and food importing countries. We should not stray from implementing the outcome of the Uruguay Round via posing new topics not directly associated with trade, or negotiating a multilateral agreement investment without analyzing its various impacts on development efforts as a whole and not on trade in particular. You might deem it necessary to coordinate the stances of member states of the Group before the convocation of the Singapore Conference to reach an agreement about these newly posed topics. We should lay down targets of priority in this respect in a way that ensures that the development of the International Trade Order are directed towards the realization and enforcement of these objectives. I would specially point out that any arrangements or systems widening the gap between the developed and developing countries are a matter we totally shun. Any readjustment in the International Trade Order must be to the better, serving the interests of the entire developing nations. Despite our awareness of the differences in interests of the Group member states according to the level of its growth and economic performance, this should not contradict our interests. We must exert sincere efforts to consolidate our cohesive stand as a Group, and leap forward on the bases of common ground and mutual benefits. Mr. President, We see stories of success in many parts of South-East Asia, Latin America and Africa. But Africa, though its huge natural and human resources, has and still faces a lot of hardships and problems over the recent decades, which has hindered the realisation of targeted development levels. Hence, the eighties has been called " The lost development epoch." Today, matters get interacted in the African continent, as it is the only continent which is expected to suffer from more poverty during the next decade besides, the fact that its annual rate of population growth is the highest in the world whereas its share in the international trade does not exceed 2%. Some promising signs cropped up including the positive results of the comprehensive economic reform process as many countries, approximately half of the African countries, are involved in programmes of structural reform for more than ten years. Their success is tangible in a sustainable rate of growth and providing a proper atmosphere for attracting local and foreign investment at a time African leaders shoulder heavy responsibilities in facing problems of security and stability in the continent as they are closely connected with development. In 1993, in Cairo they adopted a resolution for establishing a mechanism for the settlement of disputes within the framework of the Organization of African Unity. Moreover, African leaders were keen on concluding the Abuja Treaty for Economic Integration which came into effect in 1994. It is necessary to affirm the importance of concerted efforts by the International Community to cooperate with regional efforts to support African development. I do not need to emphasize that Egypt will spare no effort to urge the international powers and institutions to offer the necessary support for development in Africa. On this occasion, I want to voice Egypt's deep concern over the deteriorating situation and fighting in east Zaire, and I warn against the dangers of escalation of this dispute. It will have grave consequences not only in the area of the Great Lakes but on security and stability in the whole of Africa. Hence, I call for an immediate end to fighting and violence, and the observance of borders and full implementation of principles and charters of human rights. Egypt welcomes regional and international efforts exerted to contain this situation confirming the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Zaire and its neighbouring countries and finding a solution to the current refugees problem. Mr. President, Heads of Delegations, Allow me to say that the responsibility of growth and integration in the New World economy is ours. No one will extend help if we will not take the initiative to invest the available opportunities for cementing inter-African cooperation and intensifying it in the coming years. Besides, we must benefit from the international situation resulting from the liberalisation of trade. We have to magnify gains emanating from the development of international relations, and seek to boost the role of Group 15, in order to become an effective and influential power in formulating this development in a way that will serve the interests and aspirations of its member states. We deeply believe that our developing countries are well qualified to contribute in crystalizing the deep changes the world will witness in the coming period, and drafting ethics and restrictions that govern them. We are advocates of cooperation and solidarity not only inside the family, but also with others who may differ with us in the levels of development and phases of industrial and technological development. With the same spirit which urges us to boost correlation and interaction among countries of the South, we look forward to a North-South close cooperation because humanity encounters the same problems and challenges even if this fact is absent from some people's minds who think that interests are contradictory, goals are counter-productive and cultures are conflicting. No one of us will lag behind the great progress as we all believe that we are in one trench, fighting the same battles, and facing the same problems. We have no choice but to realize great success. Our march will not be obstructed by past errors, present hardships and challenges, but we will steadily march towards new vistas and a hopeful future. May God render us victorious in this joint struggle. Peace be upon you. |
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