Starting next week, the European Union and Latin America will strengthen their relations with an approach that addresses climate change, trade and security, said Gautier Mignot, ambassador of the European Union in Mexico.
On July 17 and 18, the summit between the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) will take place, the first in eight years of distance.
At a press conference, Mignot explained that both parties hope to strengthen the political relationship, in rapprochement, coordination mechanisms and holding future summits.
“The European Union and Celac are natural partners, we speak the same languages and share values. We need each other,” he said.
On behalf of Mexico, the Foreign Minister, Alicia Bárcena, will attend the event that will take place in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
At the EU embassy in our country, the diplomat explained that the EU expects progress in six priority axes.
The first is to strengthen the political relationship and rapprochement; the following is to promote a cooperation based on values.
It also highlights the intention to join forces on issues of justice and organized crime; and the promotion of peace, the rule of law and humanitarian aid.
Another axis is the progress in commercial agreements and finally the cultural exchange, by being the guest of honor at the Guadalajara International Book Fair.
“We have not had meetings since 2015, that has several explanation factors: the internal problems of Celac and in fact the protempore presidency of Mexico did a lot to solve. On the European side, the region was never lost sight of, but the EU has been sucked into other crises in other parts of the world,” said Mignot.
In terms of security, he ruled out that fentanyl is a problem as it is in other nations.
At the end of the bilateral summit, there will be a joint declaration, announced the representative of the European Union in our country.
Díaz-Canel confirms attendance
HAVANA.— Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed his attendance at the summit of the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), one day after the European Parliament requested sanctions against him.
Díaz-Canel is scheduled to remain in Portugal until next Sunday and on Monday he will be with the heads of state of the EU and Celac, according to the presidency of the Caribbean country.
“Cuba will go to this meeting with a constructive spirit and will help strengthen relations between both regional blocs, on a basis of equality and respect,” the president wrote on his Twitter account.
Last Monday, the Castro government said it wanted strong ties, but criticized the EU’s approach to summit preparations, calling it a “lack of transparency and manipulative behavior.”
Two days later, the European Parliament passed a resolution criticizing the island’s human rights record.
Reuters