Leaked documents reveal EU grab for control of basic services worldwide 

17 April 2002

The World Development Movement (WDM) has accused the European Union of "preparing to trample all over sustainable development objectives" to further the interests of European multinationals.

Leaked EU documents have revealed that the EU is proposing to open up essential services to competition in 29 countries, including India, Canada, Egypt, Mexico and the USA. The proposals relate to the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), currently being negotiated at the World Trade Organisation.

WDM Campaigner Clare Joy said: "These documents confirm our worst fears about GATS. They demonstrate the extent to which Europe's negotiating priorities reflect the interests of European business alone. They target essential services, such as water distribution, when then is no evidence that liberalisation benefits the poor."

The EU wants to open up postal services, water supplies, finance and banking, electricity generation and supply, and telecommunications services to competition. It also wants many developing countries to eliminate local laws which allow countries to regulate foreign investment."

WDM is calling on the UK Government to reject this negotiating draft and to allow parliamentary debate and public scrutiny of the GATS negotiating agenda.

For more information go to www.wdm.org.uk/presrel/current/EUleaks.htm 



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