5th EU-LAC summit opens in Peru

Source: CCTV.com | 05-17-2008 10:56

Heads of state from the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean have gathered in the Peruvian capital, Lima, for their fifth summit. Talks will focus on climate change, food safety and social cohesion.

Peruvian President Alan Garcia opened the summit on Friday with an appeal to set aside petty issues, and focus on making clear strategies in the struggle against poverty and global warming.

Alan Garcia, Peruvian president, said, "We are at this meeting to talk about poverty, integration, social differences and environment protection. I believe there will be real goals if we include precise things, precise concepts that go beyond the rituals of good intentions in the final declaration."

But a bitter debate over bio-fuels, blamed by critics for high global food prices and deforestation, threatens to dominate the meeting.

European Commission President Barroso says there are some unbalances between the EU and the Latin America. However, he says Europe will adopt a flexible attitude to cooperate with the Andean Group.

Jose Manuel Barroso, European Commission President, said, "We in Europe are linked to the idea of integration. The building of the European Union is the living proof of the validity of the ideas of regional integration."

Slovenia's prime minister says the two parties should cooperate on social cohesion, environmental protection and migration, as well as cracking down on drugs, terrorism and corruption.

About 60 state leaders and senior officials from the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean are attending the summit.

They are expected to sign the Lima Declaration on climate change at the summit.

Editor:Liu Fang