By María Josefina Arce
Latin America and the Caribbean made clear in Brussels its position in favor of equal relations with the European Union, which definitely leave behind the colonialist vision and contribute to the benefit of the peoples on both sides of the Atlantic, without exclusions or impositions.
At the recently concluded Summit with the EU, CELAC, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, showed that it is an important interlocutor, with common positions on important issues on the international agenda.
The Heads of State and Government of the Latin American and Caribbean nations insisted that after a period of estrangement, it is necessary to resume relations between two regions which, although at different levels of development, share history, culture and traditions.
The imperative of intensifying a transparent political dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation was emphasized in the speeches, and to this end, a new vision of integration between the two areas, under conditions of equality and respect, is essential.
In this regard, Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and President pro tempore of CELAC, stressed that in order to achieve success, the situation in which the strong impose what they want and the weak suffer, a fact that has been affecting the whole world, especially the peoples of the Americas, must come to an end.
In fact, the meeting showed that there is a wide field of cooperation, among other areas, in trade and investments. In this last aspect, it was announced that a fund of 45 billion euros and 135 projects had been set up.
And on the road to reestablishing strong ties, after eight years in which the two parties had not met, it was agreed to hold a biannual meeting at the highest level and a mechanism was created to follow up on the issues.
Other important current issues such as climate change were present in the debates and reflected in the final declaration of the event, which was held for two days in the Belgian capital.
The document condemns the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba for six decades, and the inclusion of the Caribbean nation on the list of countries allegedly sponsoring terrorism.
It also expresses its support for the peace process in Colombia and the talks between the government of President Gustavo Petro and the guerrilla National Liberation Army and other armed actors.
Both CELAC and the European Union expressed their satisfaction with the meeting, which will hopefully mark a new path, a guide for bilateral relations of respect, taking into account the interests and priorities of each party.
