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Líderes da América Latina, Caribe e UE se encontrarão para discutir questões de comum interesse

This month heads of state and government, foreign ministers and high level representatives from an unprecedented 60 countries in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe gather in Lima, Peru, for the fifth Summit between both regions since 1999.
Both regions have recognized the importance of building upon the well established dialogue between them. Amongst the notable figures that will be present are the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, French Primer Minister François Fillon, President of Brazil Lula Da Silva, Mexico's President Felipe Calderon and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. The United Kingdom is expected to be represented by Baroness Ashton of Upholland, Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Council and Ireland by the Minister for Overseas Development, Mr. Peter Power T.D.
The subjects to be discussed on this occasion are of global relevance and urgency and are centred on two main themes: 'Poverty, inequality and inclusion' and 'Sustainable Development: the environment, climate change and energy', amongst other issues. The persistence of the former as the deadline to reach the Millenium Development Goals in 2015 approaches and the looming prospects for the latter in this century make them the
centrepiece of political dialogue at the highest level. The Summit will provide an opportunity to address these issues in an open and straightforward atmosphere.
Although agreement between numerous delegates is a complex matter, there is already optimism that the Summit will lead to concrete arrangements and conclusive measures. At a panel discussion organised by the Peruvian Embassy and Canning House on 22nd April (see Latest Activities). The EU's Chief Negotiator of the final declaration, Marko Osolnik, noted there had been substantial progress and was optimistic regarding the outcome of the Lima Summit.
Peruvian Ambassador Ricardo Luna noted the willingness evident from both sides: 'Our active association with the EU is a vital component of our strategy and we have a shared commitment to address effectively these areas of global concern. The forthcoming LAC-EU Summit will therefore represent a significant occasion to move forward on them'.
The meeting between heads of State and Government, to take place on 16 May, will follow that of the Foreign ministers on 15 May and meetings between high level officials the two previous days. Previous summits took place in Vienna (2006), Guadalajara (2004), Madrid (2002), Rio (1999).

ON THE V SUMMIT The V Summit of Heads of State and Government of Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union will take place from May 13 to 17 at the National Museum where a modern Convention Center will be set up to host the Heads of State of 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries and 27 from the European Union who will examine specific initiatives on the two major themes of the meeting, “Poverty, inequality and inclusion” and “Sustainable Development: the environment, climate change and energy.” The Meetings of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and of High Ranking Officials of Government, as well as the II LAC-EU Entrepreneurial Meeting, will take place before the Heads of State summit. The V Summit of Heads of State and Government of Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union LAC-EU is of utmost important for Peru and Latin American countries because of the European Union’s condition as the globe’s most sound and solid political and economic bloc, that is also a major partner of Latin America and the Caribbean, and the largest single source of foreign investment in Peru. It is additionally the largest source of non-reimbursable multilateral cooperation. In the last decade, the European Union has contributed 420 million euros to social projects, in addition to cooperation for development provided by its individual member countries. It is noteworthy that relations between the two continents have improved significantly in the last thirty years. Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union share values like respect for human rights, democratic principles and multilateralism.