Brussels, 28/02/2006 (Agence Europe) - The General Affairs Council welcomed “with satisfaction' the communication adopted by the Commission last December on the Union's “new strategy for a stronger partnership between the EU and Latin America”. In its conclusions adopted without debate on 27 February the Council underlined, “the importance of the EU's strategic partnership with Latin America and is determined to further strengthen the alliance in the mutual interest of both regions…the EU's objective to continue to cooperate closely with Latin America to promote our common values and interests and to contribute jointly to peace and security, protection and promotion of human rights and the strengthening of citizens' participation and democracy”. The Council also indicated that the goals of the strategic partnership are to ensure, “social cohesion, sustainable development…regional integration”. The Council highlighted the need to further efforts to support democratic institutions, good governance and the rule of law, fight against drugs and organised crime and promote sexual equality, children's rights and rights of the indigenous peoples. The Council pointed out that the Union and Latin America believe in the importance of an efficient multilateral system that provided the UN with a central role in meeting global threats and challenges. In this context, the conclusions point out, “the growing participation of Latin American countries in peacekeeping efforts deserves our support”. The Council stressed that EU cooperation in support of Latin American development for 2007-13 should prioritise the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and the Millennium objectives. It also seeks to encourage mutual understanding and emphasises the importance of setting up a common higher education area by 2015. In the context of bilateral relations, the Council recalls the need to create a healthy environment for trade and investment through strengthened dialogue. An initial bilateral summit for representatives from the business community will take place at the EU/Latin American and Caribbean summit in Vienna on 12 May. In connection with trade, the Council reaffirmed its support for a multilateral system for negotiations in the Doha Round that is still ongoing at the WTO and underlined the importance of enhancing the partnership with Latin America “through a network of association agreements, involving all countries of the region” and reiterated it wish to finalise negotiations on a “balanced and ambitious” EU-Mercosur association agreement as soon as possible”.