European Parliament Socialist Group fonds - European University ...

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,. _U1\9 pattY lll\ trllD_port haa lIten ut up within the SociaUst
whOle bri.r i' to prepare the work of the committe. and the
GrOllP 1n U1i. Ueld. FOdtioa. of pr1nc:1ple on the major transport
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alllt lit defined in liBa 1n ~lo.. collaboration with socialist
.e-n of otMr ccaai.tt.ell. such as U11 C~itU8
ea-.1t'" 04 thl Il\",it_ nt •
on Energy lind the
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Trus to the principle. of international loci.liem, members Of the
Socialist Group have given clo.e attention to the problems of the
developing countries, not only hecaue. underdevelopment 1. unacceptable
on grounds of Socialist solidarity, hut aleo b~cau8e we are consciou.
that Europe will only be able to contribute effectively to • lastin9
peace if it actively demon.trates its solidarity with the poor regions
of the world. This i. why the Socialist Group advocates incre.aed
cooperation between Europe .nd the developing countri••. and why tbe
Socialiets call for fair economic and trade relation. with the countries
of the Third world, rathe~ than mere charity.
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This was clearly stated by Group spokesmen in the debate on world
hunger. Apart from calling for an increae. in ,food aid and the ehipment
of foodstuffa to the poor countries, we also emphasized that the real
eolution to the problem in the long term would be found in the
establishment of II world economic system which would at last be fair
and enable the developing countries to realize their full potential,
whilst closing the gap between rich and poor countries. The Socialiste
also urged the Community to ensure that its cooperation policy encouraged
the local production of agricultural and other products; for lnet.nce,
local popUlations have a desperate need for food crape and livestock.
This calls for II determined policy by the Community to encourage the
development of small farms in theoe countrieo.
Finally. it waS decided durin9 the debate on world hunqer that a
fundamental report on the ioeue should he drawn up in early 1980. On
the basis of II workin9 programme drafted by the Socialist Group, work
on thie report, notahly in thft form of pUblic ~ear~ngs, is in progress.
Members of the Group are also partiCUlarly concerned with the
problem of Southern Africa and apartheid. A number of written and oral
questions bavs been tabled on this eubject to eneure that the Council
of Ministers adopts a clearer and firmer position in this field.
On Southern Africa it should also be mentioned that the Group
invited Joshua NKOMO to an extensive discussion in Bru•••lo with a
delsgation from the Socialist Group in which he put forward his ideas
for the future of indepsndent and democratiC zimbabwe.
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PE/GS/33/80
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PS/GS/D/tlO
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