Brussels: Summit brings together leaders of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean
On behalf of a more prosperous future, the meeting aims to strengthen relations between the blocks on both sides of the Atlantic. For Sebastián Santander, a professor at the University of Liège, there are obstacles to the tune: "the world is changing. There are emerging powers who arrived in Latin America. Europe is in crisis. The Latin America has less interest in Europe than in the past and say that China is occupying an increasingly important place the economic, commercial, financial level but also at the political level in Latin America. "At the level of trade relations, the agreements of the European Union (EU) with Mexico and Chile should be reviewed. The EU and MERCOSUR negotiating also for many years a free trade agreement, but without consensus.The President of the European Parliament delegation for relations with Mercosur, Francisco Assis, remember that both sides have responsibility in the impasse: "The European part, the difficulties that historically have expressed have to do mainly with the agriculture sector. A few European countries who fear competition from South American countries in this domain. The South American side, so far the biggest difficulties placed in the industry and services sector because there was the idea that were not yet ready to compete with European companies. "EU Summit-CELAC may represent, therefore, an opportunity to move forward, towards a possible agreement.Luigi Gambardella, UEBrasil Association highlights the importance of flexibility: "Maybe the only way â€" but we have to wonder how this could be done-is to have a more flexible approach. Maybe if I could negotiate an agreement with the Mercosur first and then allow different members within that block have different speeds. "In addition to trade cooperation, during the EU-Summit CELAC will also be on the table topics such as sustainable growth, education, security, human rights and climate change.To analyze relations between the European Union and Latin America and, in particular, the challenges within the framework of this Summit were to talk with Benita Ferrero-Waldner, President of the European Union-Latin America and the Caribbean.Benita Ferrero-Waldner, President of the European Union-Latin America and the Caribbean-"it is very important to highlight that this Summit will serve to revitalize, really, our bi-regional relations and to legitimate citizens. How to transfer all this to people? Working in concrete things, as we are doing in our Foundation, where we work with projects related to higher education, for example. In Brussels, there was also the academic Summit and we support this process because without education for all cannot have the progress we want. Small and medium-sized enterprises are also important. The new middle class is 88 million people since 2002 until 2014 in Latin America and it has also a more productive society. "Benita Ferrero-Waldner, President of the European Union-Latin America and the Caribbean-"I can't believe we're losing ground. We fell a little bit in terms of our trade relations, but staved off and we have strengthened. If we focus on European investments, which are of 34 billion euros, can realize that it is something important. "Benita Ferrero-Waldner, President of the European Union-Latin America and the Caribbean â€" "The hit by this situation must be in the process. I think this was one of the most relevant points. Then, you need to train these people, give them vocational training, education. Because for those who have knowledge is easier. In addition, there is also the issue of mobility. The young people said they also want to have more chances to meet other countries. "By K S | With MARTA ALIVE CHAMORRO
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