(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) The 28-member European Union and the 33-member Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) ended here Thursday afternoon their two-day summit, expressing their determination to strengthen and boost their economic and political cooperation.
The second EU-CELAC summit held under the theme "Shaping our common future: working for prosperous, cohesive and sustainable societies for our citizens" focussed on three main topics: strengthened political dialogue, especially in the major areas of climate change, the post-2015 development agenda and the fights against drugs, the completion and modernisation of economic ties, and a new type and a new focus of cooperation.
The summit issued a Brussels Declaration which expressed the determination of the two regional blocs "to further strengthen our relationship, deepen our dialogue and given the importance we attach to the bi-regional strategic association." "We renew our strategic partnership and commit to continue working together for achieving more prosperous, cohesive, inclusive and sustainable societies, for the sake of our peoples and future generations," said the Declaration.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk m noted that "the EU and CELAC jointly account for one third of the world's countries. Together we can have a decisive impact on the global climate talks, the post- 2015 development agenda and the fight against drugs." On his part, President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker told the joint press conference that Latin America is also the area where apart from North America, the EU has the most investments.
"The EU has always supported CELAC and the EU will continue to support our friends. That is the reason why the Commission has announced over 800 million euro in support for the region in the last two days" he added.
On his part, Rafael Correa president of Ecuador and the current CELAC President said they talked about the new order of cooperation that is required by the Latin America and the Caribbean.with the EU.
"We expressed our satisfaction that there has been a thawing in relations between Cuba and the US. We are very pleased that the diplomatic ties have been restored between the two countries but that is just the starting point. We have to remove this cruel and inhumane block and embargo imposed against Cuba and we have to see the closure of the Guantanamo prison," he told the joint press conference.
Meanwhile, the Brussels Declaration expressed support for all efforts to uphold sovereign equality of all States, to respect their territorial integrity and political independence, to uphold the resolution of disputes by peaceful means and in conformity with justice and international law.
"In our international relations, we undertake to refrain from any conduct that might contravene these principles and to refrain from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations," it stressed.
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