rich and poor nations alike. All contribute to the environmental problems we face and we all therefore have to reappraise the way we affect the environment, seekinq to meet the needs of the present, but without compromisinq the ability of future generations to provide for their own needs. Development that is not sustainable just is not development at all. Finally, let me turn to Eastern Europe. The newly emerqing democracies there face a unique challenge: to match their political freedom with economic emancipation through the conversion of command-run economies into functioning free ·market systems, and the economic setting for this transformation could not in many JVM/10 A/S-18/PV. 4 42 (Mrs. Chalker, United Kinqdom) cases be more unfavourable as they grapple with the legacy of communist rule. The challenge ahead is formidable, but the West has resPonded promptly and effectively, in particular by providing skills and expertise that will be needed to run democratic and free market systems. I want to emphasize that this assistance must not and will not be to the detriment of the poorer countries. The changes in Eastern Euro~ can represent a real opportunity for the developing world, not a threat to it -for example, by openinq up new markets for tropical produce. As far as development assistance is concerned, the United Kingdom has made it clear that our help for Eastern Europe is separate from that q iven to the poorer countries through our traditional aid programme, which is planned to a:mtinue growing in real terms. And European Community aid to the poorer countries under the Lome arrangements has recently been increased very substantially in the European Development Fund (EDF VII). Naturally, however, in the developing countries, as in Eastern Europe, we shall want to take into account the policy environment into which aid is injected so that 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the importance of sustainable development and the need to address environmental issues, while also mentioning economic development and international cooperation. The focus is on global issues and the impact of economic decisions on the environment and future generations. The text also touches on the specific challenges faced by Eastern Europe and the need for economic assistance.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade, Natural resources and environment