14
A more liberal policy of the European Community would provide
the NIEs with an additional outlet for their manufactures thus
taking some pressure off the U.S.
Any such policy must however take into consideration the
different economic situation of EC-Member states and the fact
that in view of 1992 Member states already have to face
stronger competition within the EC. All steps of li-
beralization should therefore allow Member states sufficient
time for adjustment.
4. Support technological upgrading in Europe as the most
effective means towards the future technological challenges
posed by the Asian economies.
In fields of strategic importance like information technology,
material processing or biotechnology Europe cannot fully match
Japanese or U.S. competitivity.
Capturing of larger world market segments in high technology
goods and services might enable Europe to further open up its
markets at the same time.
5.
Strengthen the multilateral world economic order and push
for a further integration of the NIEs into multilateral insti-
tutions.
For lack of a political framework of the ASEAN-type between
the NIES there is no cooperation agreement between the EEC and
the NIES (except Singapore as a member of ASEAN). Given the
political status of Hong Kong and Taiwan, this is not going to
change in the future. Therefore, political efforts should pur- sue other avenues of cooperation, in particular multilateral
institutions.
5.1.GATT
Push for general progress in the Uruguay Round.