FM Paet: Fight against Corruption Supports Development Co-operation
01.12.2008
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet gave a speech at the International Conference on Financing for Development in Doha, Qatar this weekend. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised that financing development must go hand-in-hand with reducing corruption and battling against tax evasion.
In his speech, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised the role and responsibility of developing nations in achieving success. “In order to achieve economic development, developing nations must focus on battling corruption and tax evasion,” said Paet. “Neither the donors nor the developing nations should allow tax evasion, a black economy, under-the-table payments, and corruption,” he stressed.
The Estonian foreign minister stated that donor states and those receiving aid must rally together their domestic resources to ensure the effectiveness of development. “Regardless of the global economic crisis, we cannot back down from our primary goal—decreasing poverty,” emphasised Foreign Minister Paet. “Half of the world’s population lives in total poverty, with an average income of less than one dollar a day. Developing and transitioning countries must decisively take responsibility for ensuring progress and strengthening their domestic financial systems,” he added. “The principles of a market economy, a strong tax policy, free trade, the existence of competition, co-operation with the private sector, and an effectively regulated financial market are all requirements for economic development and reducing poverty, and developing nations should use them to guide their activities,” explained the foreign minister.
Along with pulling together domestic resources, the Estonian foreign minister stated that the establishment of good governing practices is also very important. “If the government bases its activities on the law, then there is hope for more rapid development,” Paet acknowledged.
Paet stated that Estonia will continue to contribute to both development co-operation and humanitarian aid. “Helping societies that are in a worse situation than we are is the mission of every respectable nation,” said the foreign minister.
The International Conference on Financing for Development taking place from 28 November – 2 December in Doha, Qatar is being attended by the leaders and government representatives of all the donor nations and developing countries in the world. During the conference, the Final Report will be adopted, which marks the halfway point in achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals.
