The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and President of the European Council, Mr Janez Janša, has been taking part, in his capacity as co-chairman of the Summit, in the Fifth Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the European Union and 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries, held in the Peruvian capital, Lima. EU-LAC Summit meetings are held every two years in Europe and Latin America on an alternating basis. This year’s Summit is devoted to the fight against poverty, social exclusion and inequality, and to the challenges of sustainable development, climate change and energy.
In his opening address at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Janez Janša stressed, in his capacity as President of the European Council, that together the European Union and Latin America could find answers to the challenges of the twenty-first century. He also said that, with the signing of the Lisbon Treaty and its ratification by the Member States now in progress, the European Union had put an end to the time of indecision and insecurity about its own future. That is why the Slovenian EU Presidency is trying to prepare the ground for decisions that are important for the global role of the EU. In this regard, the Slovenian Prime Minister pointed out the fight against climate change and poverty. He said that, on this matter, Europe wished to listen carefully to the concerns, needs and hopes of its partners.
He said he hoped this year’s Summit would reaffirm the strategic partnership between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean, remarking on the important results that had been achieved in the past. Dialogue is under way in a number of areas ranging from social cohesion to environmental protection, migration, and the fight against drugs and terrorism. Economic cooperation has intensified. In this connection, the Slovenian Prime Minister made a favourable assessment of the EU-LAC Business Summit held the previous day, observing that the two regions were also cooperating at a global level.
“Together we have the resources and the knowledge to find effective, sustainable and equitable answers to the challenges of the twenty-first century,” declared the Slovenian Prime Minister. “Our objective could be to develop strategies for social inclusion and sustainable development, help them expand and thus build a better future for all.” In this regard, the Slovenian Premier also referred to football, a game which is close to the hearts of both Europe and Latin America and can win over even the most doubtful. Of the eighteen World Cup titles so far, nine have gone to Europe, the other nine to Latin America, explained the Prime Minister.
At the Summit meeting, the Heads of State and Government have adopted a special declaration, reaffirming the strategic partnership between the European Union and Latin America. They stressed that sustainable development was crucial to eradicating poverty. They advocated that rapid assistance be provided to those the most affected, stressing, at the same time, the urgent need to find permanent solutions to the problem. The Summit participants also undertook to cooperate in the fight against climate change, agreeing on Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean taking action according to their abilities and responsibilities.
In his closing address, the Slovenian Prime Minister and President of the European Council, Janez Janša, assessed this year’s EU-LAC Summit as successful, highlighting it as one of the most significant events held during the Slovenian EU Presidency. While the Peruvian side has taken care of the practical organisation of the Summit, Slovenia, as the EU Presidency holder, has participated in preparing the content of the Summit meeting.
The Prime Minister said he was pleased to see that the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean had responded favourably to a number of Europe’s initiatives to tackle global problems. “At the same time, this summit has reaffirmed that you will always find true partners in Europe,” concluded the Prime Minister. He also drew attention to the considerable progress made in EU-LAC cooperation in the economic field and in the strengthening of political dialogue. The European Union has already started negotiations with the LAC countries leading to the conclusion of various economic agreements.
