Press Release: EU succeeds in promoting market access in favour of least developed countries

The European Union hosted the third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in Brussels from 14-20 May 2001. At the conclusion of the Conference the international community adopted, for the first time ever, the objective of duty-free and quota-free market access for all products originating in the LDCs. The EU had campaigned strongly for an international agreement to improve market access in favour of the 49 least developed countries at the Conference. This decision will expand the impact of the the 'Everything by Arms' initiative, already implemented by the EU, as other developed countries will take action along the same lines.

http://www.un.org/events/ldc3/conference/ http://www.un.org/events/ldc3/conference/

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