Speaking at the high-profile Ibero-American event held here, Sánchez expressed his hope that the meeting between the European Union (EU) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) next July will be transcendental.
It will be a summit with far-reaching political, economic, social and environmental content, not only declarative but also executive, as the Spanish head of government, who will take over the presidency of the EU in the second half of 2023, is considered.
Explaining the topic, he underlined that the goal will be to build a structured and systematic political dialogue that will make it possible to tackle global challenges, accompanied by a common investment agenda with projects of high strategic impact and regional reach.
On the other hand, during his speech at the high-level meeting in the Dominican capital, Sánchez emphasized the adoption in this scenario of the Ibero-American Environmental Charter, the Critical Path to Achieving Food Security in Ibero-America and the Ibero-American Charter of Digital Principles and Rights.
He affirmed that the region has significant natural resources, more than 32 million university students, a young and increasingly educated workforce and a dynamic business fabric.
He pointed to the need to achieve a full recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and to promote a green, smart and circular transition in Latin America and a more equitable distribution of wealth.
He also pointed to the negative consequences of the war in Ukraine, which he described as illegal and unjustifiable, and which has led to an increase in energy and food prices in Latin America, the disruption of supply chains and other derivatives such as interest rate increases.
Sánchez highlighted three common goals of this summit to achieve a more just, inclusive and feminist Iberoamerica.
“Tackling poverty and inequality requires resources,” he said, noting that Spain is working with international financial institutions on initiatives that will allow middle-income countries to access international finance under reasonable conditions.
In that line, he highlighted Latin America’s strengths and recalled that the region has abundant natural resources.
He added that moving towards a more sustainable and people-centric Iberoamerica is a priority.
Referring to the links between Europe and Latin America in general, he stressed that both areas share common principles and values such as democracy, the rule of law or social justice.
jha/ft