EU-CELAC SUMMIT/ROUND TABLE EU and Latin American leaders resume talks for better cooperation

Record ID: 150918

  • Title: EU-CELAC SUMMIT/ROUND TABLE EU and Latin American leaders resume talks for better cooperation
  • Date: 11th June 2015
  • Summary: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (JUNE 11, 2015) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF EU COUNCIL BUILDING EU FLAGS FLYING
  • Embargoed: 26th June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Belgium
  • Country: Belgium
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA3043INO90RI06PX7CSL7DT5JO
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Leaders from the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) met on Thursday (June 11) in Brussels for the second day of a summit set to strengthen ties between the two blocs.
    Climate change, the Colombian peace talks, reforms in Cuba and reconstruction in Haiti were all expected to be on the agenda.
    Leaders were also expected to discuss the renewal of the trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur trade bloc formed by Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and, more recently, Venezuela.
    After the first day of the summit, few concrete measures emerged, bar a visa waiver agreement for Peru and Colombia aiming at easing travels between the two countries and the union.
    The two blocs were also set to give their go ahead to a transatlantic fibre optic line that would link the two continents directly. For the moment, communications go via the United States.
    At the end of the meeting, leaders are expected to adopt a joint political declaration highlighting the progress made in cooperation in thematic areas and a reviewed and expanded Action Plan.
    CELAC held its first summit in Chile in 2013, having been established as a rival to U.S.-dominated forums such as the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Summit of the Americas.
    Although it's not on the agenda, the Greek crisis is expected to draw attention away from issues put on the meeting's agenda with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker set to meet Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras during the course of the day.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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