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Facts and trends
Complaints against oil companies
Violation of OECD guidelines?
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Interview with Wolfgang Preiser:
SARS: a new epidemic of the poor?
Multilateral Agreement on Investment:
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Clare Short resigns
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promoted by the state or a countervailing power?
Wieczorek-Zeul praises development in Benin
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[ Wieczorek-Zeul praises development in Benin ]
German Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul on May 15 met Benin President Mathieu Kérékou, who was on a five-day visit to Germany. Their talk focused on the further development of democracy in Benin following its municipal elections and the joint efforts to reduce poverty there.
The first municipal elections in Benin in December last year contributed to further reinforcing democracy in the country. Ms Wieczorek-Zeul praised the successes, which she said expressed the Benin government's will for reform. "The democratisation provides the basis for addressing Benin's pressing economic and social problems – with growing participation by the people affected."
Benin is a priority partner country of German development cooperation. Besides decentralisation by means of municipal development, the country is also supported in the sectors of environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources in rural areas as well as in water and drinking water supply.
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