G8 meeting should rejuvenate global economy: Chirac

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, May 22, 2003

G8 meeting should rejuvenate global economy: Chirac

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French President Jacques Chirac on Wednesday hoped the Group of Eight (G8) summit would help rejuvenate the global economy and build on efforts for sustainable development and the fight against international terrorism.

Chirac made the remarks at the Elysee Palace when addressing French officials, entrepreneurs and foreign ambassadors on the agenda of the June 1-3 G8 meeting in France's Evian and the stanceof the French government regarding several important issues.

The current world situation has brought both hopes and worries,Chirac said, citing unprecedented progress in science and technology for the former, and the shrinking international trade as well as the widening gap between the developed and the developing countries for the latter.

However, he said, all conditions are there for an economic upturn as financial instability is easing, oil prices are reasonable again, interest rates are low and can continue to fall.

"After some difficult months, Evian is the chance to show that nations are able and willing to get on and cooperate in the service of mankind," said Chirac.

"We (participants of the summit) are determined to do our utmost to get the world economy going again."

He said he would, at the summit, ask developed countries to help the poor, especially to make good on past aid promises.

France backed calls for opening the developed nations' market, especially the agricultural market, to developing nations and providing medicines to the latter, he added.

In terms of international security, Chirac said all the people in the world should cooperate in the fight against their common enemies such as international terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, drug trafficking and organized crime.

Chirac said the French government, considering globalization anissue influencing everyone, would also invite a host of leaders from newly developed and developing countries to discuss the majorworld issue.

The annual G8 meeting brings together leaders of the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan and Russia for discussion of political and economic issues.

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