the essential prerequisites for a new staqe in our relations with the developing countries. The ec()nomic laws recently enacted and those under preparation will JP/ASN A/S-18/PV. 6 67 (Mr. Pirek, Czechoslovakia) make it possible to demonopolize and decentralize our economy and to open it up to the world. These steps are designed to increase efficiency and flexibility and to achieve full integration with the world economy. We also seek to fac Hi tate the attainment of this goal by joining the relevant international monetary and financial institutions. We are convinced that this approach will help expand our economic relations with all groups of countries. And, in fact, an important part of those relations will be our co-operation with developing countries. We wish to reverse a long-term negative trend reflected by a declining share of developing countries in the total volume of our foreign trade. We wish to make our co-operation with the countries of the developing world more effective, with a view to contributing to the solution of the specific problems of social and economic development in those countries. The internal developments now under way in Central and Eastern Europe are an important and integral part of the current process of profound transformation in the world. It is only natural that great attention should be paid to them by the international community. The steps being taken by those countries towards early integration into the world economy are guided by a desire both to strengthen their own economic potential and to contribute to world-wide economic growth as well as to balanced development. Such is the extent of the change takinq place that understanding and joint efforts by the international community will be required to come to grips with the problems involved. In this respect we appreciate the 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the economic policies and goals of a country, specifically the need to increase efficiency, flexibility, and integration with the world economy, as well as the desire to cooperate with developing countries to contribute to their social and economic development. The text also mentions the internal developments in Central and Eastern Europe and the need for international understanding and joint efforts to address the problems involved. These themes suggest that the text is primarily focused on economic issues.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade