Development aid reflects both the search for solidarity between the developed countries of the EU and the disadvantaged countries of the world and the economic necessity for the Union of guaranteeing its raw material supply and creating outlets for its products. Aware that advantages granted at world level, notably through the GATT and WTO negotiations mentioned in the previous chapter [see section 23.4], diminished the attractiveness of regional preferences, the EC/EU has been caught up in a process of continually expanding its aid to developing countries. It now views every agreement with developing countries as an instrument in an all-embracing political, social and economic development strategy.