After Dr.Handa’s speech, John Howard
spoke further on globalization. He stressed that globalization has helped to
reduce world poverty, saying “The study of the last 30 years shows
globalization is not the enemy, but a friend to the poor.” He also said
preserving a good relationship with Asian countries like Indonesia, Japan, is
geopolitically very important for Australia.
In response to Howard’s speech, Tony Blair,
now deeply engaged in peacekeeping in the Middle East as the Quartet (the U.S.,
Russia, EU and the U.N.) Representative, said, “I agree that globalization is
an unstoppable force.” He claimed that to cope with globalization, all
countries educate people to prepare for it, and that we should recognize the
fact that the countries all over the world have achieved economic success through
free trade. Then, asked about terrorism by Dr.Handa, Blair pointed out that
people need to understand that they have differences and be taught that
everyone should be treated equally, regardless of those differences.
Then, Fidel Valdez Ramos expressed his
agreement on their thoughts, saying, ”Peace and development must be the outcome
of globalization.” He also pointed out that the world must work together to cope
with Ebola, international terrorism, climate change and poverty.
On the environmental issue, Howard stressed
that environmental friendliness and economic development don’t stand side by
side, giving an example of nuclear power which is necessary to solve world
energy problems.
