As the Presentation of EcoLomics International explains, this Web site attempts to promote a better reconciliation between long-term ecological and more short-term economic concerns and objectives. It is based on the premise that this focus on an ecolomic perspective can make relatively efficiently and effectively a contribution towards such a reconciliation where the wider sustainable development framework tends to get bogged down by the inclusion of numerous social considerations. EcoLomics International, however, is nevertheless also based on the premise that a very substantial narrowing of the North-South gap is absolutely essential and a precondition for improving the present ecolomic state of affairs, and that the extreme poverty in many parts of the world makes the development and implementation of ecolomic policies impossible. EcoLomics International therefore strongly favors a far better integration of developing country priorities into international negotiations. As far as the trade negotiations are concerned, this goal can only be achieved pragmatically through the application of concepts, guiding principles and objectives such as special and differential treatment and technical and implementation assistance. Furthermore, this assistance is useful for developing countries only if it results in genuine capacity building and not simply in improved compliance capabilities with regards to agreements that were negotiated primarily by the industrialized countries in their own national interest.