The European Union pursues an outward-looking trade policy. It advocates a market-oriented world economic order and pursues these trade policy objectives within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Together with the United States, the European Union plays a leading role in the WTO. The EU also develops its economic and trade relations with third countries on the basis of a dense network of trade, cooperation and association agreements which it has concluded with numerous states and groups of states (for example in the Mediterranean basin, in Southeast Asia, and in Central and South America).

The central element of EU cooperation in partnership with developing countries is the Fourth Lome Convention (1990-2000) concluded with 70 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries known as the ACP states. ‘n 1995, within the framework of the second financial Protocol to this Convention (1995-2000), a commitment was made to provide financial assistance totaling EcU 13.3 billion (about DM 24.7 billion) to the ACP states. This represented an increase of 22 percent over the commitment of the previous five-year period.

As the economically strongest Member State, Germany renders substantial net payments to the European Union. It will continue to support the further integration of the Union to the best of its ability. In the future, however, the financial burdens must be shouldered more equitably by more Member States.