Brussels, 12/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - At the invitation of the Spanish Presidency, 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries will travel to Madrid at the start of next week for the EU-Latin America and Caribbean summit. Initially to be devoted to technological innovation, the summit will take stock of all that has been done since the 2008 Lima summit on cross-cutting issues such as how to respond to the economic and financial crisis, climate change and the dialogue on migration. On the sidelines of this event, other summits will take place, some bilateral (with Mexico, in Santander on 16 May, with Chile on 17 May) and others sub-regional (with Mercosur and CARIFORUM on 17 May and with the Andean Community and Central America on 19 May). Honduran strongman, Porfirio Lobo Soza, whose election has not been recognised by several Latin American countries, will not take part in the main summit (see EUROPE 10135).
The Spanish Presidency's aim is to get the most results possible to help forget the disappointment of the cancelled EU-US sSummit. The meeting will provide the opportunity to place on record the creation of two mechanisms: - an EU-Latin America Foundation, based on the model of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation, with three European cities (Hamburg, Paris and Milan) putting themselves as candidates to host the headquarters; - and an investment facility, with a budget of €125 million for the period from 2009 to 2013, which will fund feasibility studies for infrastructure projects in the Latin America and Caribbean region.
On the sub-regional level, a declaration on the resumption of trade negotiations is expected (see EUROPE 10133). In the face of the fears over this move expressed by several member states at the Agriculture Council on Monday (see related article), the European Commission has given assurances that the EU will sign an agreement only if it satisfies both European defensive interests (agricultural products) and its offensive interests (the car industry, chemical products). Throughout the weekend, discussions with Central American countries will continue with the aim of signing an association agreement with the EU. In the trade chapter of this agreement, discussions are deadlocked on issues relating to dairy products, textiles and the protection of geographical indications. On the political chapter, the clause on suspending the new agreement has not yet been finalised. Lastly, the Madrid summit will provide the opportunity to announce the finalisation of the trade agreement with two countries - Colombia and Peru - from the Andean Community of Nations. On the sensitive issue of workers' rights in Colombia (see EUROPE 10102), the Commission holds the view that the agreement could help since it contains provisions on this, a mechanism for monitoring observance of commitments made and a unilateral suspension clause as a last resort. (M.B./transl.rt)