The European Union, shaken by the resignation of the Santer Commission during preparations, pursued a policy of seeking compromise with the other major powers which was far removed from the claims of developing countries and the concerns of civil society.
EU var rystet over Santer-Kommissionens afgang under forberedelserne og fulgte en kompromissøgende politik over for de andre stormagter, selvom denne lå fjernt fra udviklede landes krav og samfundsborgernes bekymring.