MONTERREY CONFERENCE MONTERREY, March 21 (Hina) - A ministerial debate at the first world conference on development financing, which is held in Monterrey, has shown that division and disputes among countries in transition and
developing countries and developed countries on which factors are decisive for a faster development and reducing the rift between the rich and the poor have not been overcome yet.
MONTERREY, March 21 (Hina) - A ministerial debate at the first world
conference on development financing, which is held in Monterrey,
has shown that division and disputes among countries in transition
and developing countries and developed countries on which factors
are decisive for a faster development and reducing the rift between
the rich and the poor have not been overcome yet. #L#
Finance Minister Mato Crkvenac said developed countries insisted
on the concept of free market and globalisation, while developing
countries warned of the problem of debts and mistrust towards
international financial institutions which they claimed were
implementing the policy and serving the interests of the rich.
Developing countries demand a more important role in decision-
making and hope that the U.N. would establish control over
international financial bodies. The U.N.'s Economic and Social
Council, which is currently chaired by Croatian Ambassador Ivan
Simonovic, should play an active role in that process.
The ministers agreed that economic development in itself did not
mean a better living. It must be accompanied by social development,
otherwise societies disintegrate and social tensions rise, they
said.
Also discussed at the conference was the regional approach to
development and the prevention of corruption and grey economy.
The Croatian delegation at the conference met with the European
Union's commissioner for development and humanitarian issues, Paul
Nielsen, to discuss the linking of Croatian regional development
and employment stimulation funds with adequate European funds.
Crkvenac warned the EU was not active enough in demining and refugee
return projects.
The Croatian delegation also discussed cooperation with Polish and
Estonian officials.
The president of the Croatian Reconstruction and Development Bank,
Anton Kovacev, and representatives of the Italian agency SACI
agreed to sign an agreement on cooperation in Rome on April 15.
Kovacev discussed cooperation with representatives of the
Hungarian export bank and the export insurance agency.
A two-day discussion at the level of heads of state or government
will start today as part of the conference, which is also attended
by Croatian President Stjepan Mesic.
(hina) rml