mardi 23 février 2010

EuroLat EP Delegation meeting (Brussels, 22 February 2010)

Exchanges of views with Juan Pablo de Laiglesia, Spanish State Secretary for Latin America, on the Spanish Presidency's priorities for EU-LAC relations

The «strategic partnership» with Latin America and the Caribbean will be promoted. The 6th EULatin America/ Caribbean Summit (Madrid, 18 May 2010), as well as the simultaneous sub-regional EUCentral America, EU-Mercosur, EU-Cariforum and EU-Chile Summits, will enable a qualitative leap in the bi-regional relation to jointly address the challenges posed by the global agenda (economic and financial crisis, climate change, fight against poverty and social exclusion). We hope to conclude the negotiations for the EU Association Agreement with the Central America Integration System, as well as the Multipartite Trade Agreement with Colombia and Peru. Work will also be done to revitalise the negotiations for an EU-Mercosur Association Agreement. An Action Plan establishing the fundamental bi-regional cooperation objectives will be approved at the EU-Latin America/Caribbean Summit, together with the implementation of a finance facility for Latin America and the Caribbean, the adoption of a Work Programme stating the political dialogue priorities, and the promotion of the EU-Latin America/Caribbean Foundation to start its activities by 2010.

Special attention will be given to the start-up and development of political dialogue mechanisms derived from granting Mexico and Brazil the condition of «EU strategic partners». The first EU-Mexican Summit, which will be held in Spain, will evidence the new strategic character Mexico has acquired for the EU. On Cuba the Spanish Precidency wants to open a reflection.