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.
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.