The President of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council, Dr Rupel, opened the plenary session of Foreign Ministers at the EU-LAC Summit. In his opening speech, he expressed the conviction that a strategic partnership between the European Union and Latin America can be established on the basis of an understanding of mutual interests, needs and positions.
Dr Rupel stated that mass migration was one of the most important challenges brought by modern globalisation. He pointed out the need to safeguard human rights and the right to asylum, as well as the need to strengthen cooperation between the European Union and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean in combating illegal migration and human trafficking. Solutions should be sought to manage migration flows and cooperation established to promote the social integration of illegal migrants in host countries.
The President of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council, Dr Rupel, pointed out the crucial importance of intercultural dialogue as migrants represent a living link between their original culture and that of the host country. Intercultural dialogue is one of the priorities of the Slovenian EU Council Presidency.
Dr Rupel also mentioned the importance of regional integration, which has resulted in six decades of peace and general prosperity in Europe. The model of European integration could also be implemented in the Latin American region.
As a particularly pressing issue the Slovenian Foreign Minister highlighted the problem of the trade in illicit drugs, which costs thousands of young lives in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean as well as elsewhere in the world. The situation calls for joint action to combat the illicit drugs trade.