Toespraak Litouwse parlementsvoorzitter over relatie EU en Latijns Amerika (en)

For the first time in the history of our country, the Seimas hosts the meeting of the representatives of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat). In his welcome address at the joint inaugural session of EuroLat, Vydas Gedvilas stressed that that the relations between the European Union and Latin America would increasingly gain more strategic importance.

“The economic relations between the European Union and Latin America have been developing rapidly - the negotiations for a free trade agreement with Central America, as well as with two countries from the Andean Community, Peru and Colombia, have been concluded. We also hope that the negotiations with MERCOSUR will be completed soon. We very much appreciate our strategic partnership with one of the BRIC countries, Brazil,” said the Seimas leader.

Mr Gedvilas expressed his satisfaction with expanding economic cooperation between Lithuania and Latin America. “The volume of import and export is growing. Recently, the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs approved of establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba. It is yet another important step towards closer cooperation with Latin America,” assured the Speaker of the Seimas.

Linas Linkevičius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that it was very important for the EU and Latin America to hold dialogue. He stated that Europe remained the most important player in the entire world. “We are not focused exclusively on the East or the North; our relationship with the South is no less important,” highlighted Mr Linkevičius.

Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Member of the European Parliament and Substitute in the Delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly, conveyed the greetings of Dalia Grybauskaitė i, President of the Republic of Lithuania, saying that this event was of particular importance for Europe and Latin America while moving forward in promoting common values, interests and objectives.

“Dialogue between the Parliaments of Europe and Latin America is an example and valuable instrument of political cooperation,” Lithuania’s leader was cited by Ms Andrikienė. Ms Grybauskaitė’s message was that Lithuania, as a country holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU, was happy to contribute to promotion of mutual values.

Leonel Vásquez Búcaro, President of EuroLat’s Latin American component, noted that Latin America and the Caribbean were seeking closer cooperation with Europe. “Our message to Europe is that it is high time to remove all borders,” stated Leonel Vásquez Búcaro adding that Latin America is strong and united.

José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, President of EuroLat’s European component and Spanish Member of the European Parliament, highlighted that we should jointly respond to new challenges and ensure regional cooperation not only in trade but also in other areas.

Emanuelis Zingeris, Member of the Seimas and Chair of the Parliamentary Forum for Democracy, expressed hope that the experience of Latin America would also contribute to building a mature democracy.

At the meetings taking place on 16-18 July, EuroLat’s representatives will focus on recent political developments, migration, bilateral and inter-regional cooperation, mining and trade in raw materials, participatory democracy, fight against drug abuse, corruption and transparency, formal and informal education, food security and women’s rights.

The Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat) is the parliamentary institution of the Bi-regional Strategic Association EU-Latin America and the Caribbean. EuroLat is composed of 150 members, 75 from the European Parliament and 75 from the Latin American component.