It is not a matter of carrying out a mere exercise, adoptinq a declaration that risks being ineffective by losing all relevance within five or ten years. Still less, since one system is out of the race, is it a matter of praising JP5/jg A/S-18/PV. 8 58-60 (Mr • Rabetafika; Madagascar) another, whose clained victory has been qained bv default. The time has cone for reflection, and we must redefine international economic co-operation within new paraneters, without questioning the fundamental PrinciPle of free choice of economic, social and POlitical systems. What the Charter says about international co-operation, development, progress and the solution of economic problems is linear and unfortunately lends itself to a mixinq of categories, thus in a way justifying what is called tied aid. Co-oPeration does not need to be defined, because we experience it; it exists as the sum total of experience, good or badJ it allows for many variables; and it adapts itself to circumstances. Nevertheless, it cannot disregard the PrinciPles of justice, equity and equal participation in nanaging the world economy, nor should it ever be reduced to the simplistic equation of qive and take. It is a complex concept, often manipUlated, but it cannot escape riqorous scrutiny. If international economic co-operation had been perfect we should no longer be talking about the debt, the deterioration in the terms of trade, structural adjustments, the urqent need for development aid or the divide that we never finish trying to bridqe. We must admit that after several &cades of strateqies -we are no•111 in the fourth such decade -either we have taken the wrong road or we have not lived up to our responsibilities. I shall mention three anomalies among many to illustrate my argument. First, we had to recognize that the world economy was going through an unprecedented crisis. We then embarked on reconstruction, without really worrying 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a reflection on the current state of international economic cooperation, discussing its limitations and the need for a new approach. It touches on topics such as the debt, trade, and development aid, which suggests that it is focused on the economic sphere. However, the text also mentions the importance of justice, equity, and equal participation, which could indicate a broader concern with social and political issues.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade