Brussels Belgium. – A dull sun marked the beginning of day over the city; and at the seat of the European Council opened in the morning the second and last working day of the III. Summit of the Heads of State and Government of CELAC and the European Union opened its doors, in which Cuba participated with a high-level delegation headed by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.
“Today we are experiencing profound changes on a global level, with great risks and challenges, but also with opportunities. “I firmly believe that we can and must build better relationships: more equitable, balanced, supportive and cooperative to improve the lives of our peoples,” said the Caribbean leader at the plenary session.
“Latin America and the Caribbean – he said – is no longer the backyard of the United States. Nor are we ex-colonies in need of advice, nor will we be treated as simple suppliers of raw materials.
“We are independent and sovereign countries with a common vision for the future. We are building the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) as the unified and representative voice of our unity in diversity.”
The President recalled that “colonial plunder and capitalist plunder have made Europe a creditor and Latin America and the Caribbean debtors”. And in that train of thought, he expressed that European Union fiscal policies “remain obstacles to the development of our region” and therefore “necessitate a comprehensive reform of the financial architecture dating back to the Cold War and Bretton Woods”. , and are looking for solutions to the serious problem of foreign debt, which we have repeatedly paid off.”
Elsewhere in his speech, the dignitary said: “The only alternative to the current international disorder is a more cooperative, just and supportive world order.” Leave unreasonable demands behind.”
Díaz-Canel stressed: “Today’s meeting is a positive step that must be translated into concrete actions to revive and strengthen our ties in high priority areas such as combating climate change, food security, financing for development, technology transfer and renewable energy .” Energies, digital transformation, scientific research, trade and investment”.
Towards the end of his words, he declared: “We sincerely hope that the results of this III. contribute to the necessary strengthening of bi-regional ties and focus on what unites us to build a better future for our peoples.”
Voices from the two regions
This Tuesday’s reflection session was opened by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. And this portico yielded to the interventions of the leaders; among them the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, who pointed to the need for effective negotiations that would result in a useful final declaration.
Now it was the turn of Romanian President Klaus Lohannis, who described climate change as a threat, particularly for the developing islands.
The issue of climate change and its effects on the nations on both sides of the Atlantic was a topic that was present in almost all of the day’s contributions. However, it is not enough to recognize that the problem exists, more needs to be done; Therefore, the President of Surinam, Chan Santokhi, called on both regions to stick to the agreements made in this regard.
For his part, Bolivian President Luis Arce Catacora called on developed and developed countries to take their responsibilities amid the climate crisis.
Contributions to the extended day of debate included issues such as the need to intensify political dialogue and cooperation; Establishing mutually beneficial and objectively achievable work schedules; and the need to find new approaches to integration between the two regions under conditions of equality and transparency.
Cuba and good causes in the eyes of the world
Argentine President Alberto Fernández referred to the imperial blockade of Cuba and Venezuela; It’s a fence, he said, that would only create more poverty in the area, which would prove unbearable damage. And President Irfaan Ali of Guyana expressed that Cuba offered its help with health workers when his country was in need.
According to the dignitary, the Greater Antilles deserve a commendable place for having acted in accordance with humanitarian principles.
For his part, Chilean President Gabriel Boric reiterated that the sanctions are not a solution; that United States sanctions against Venezuela and Cuba are of no help and that the declaration that Cuba is a terrorist country is unacceptable; which he said is wrong.
From Dominica, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit exercised his right to speak, mentioning Cuba and making it clear that sanctions against the Caribbean island and against Venezuela were intolerable. For his part, the Prime Minister of St. Kitts very clearly called for an end to the blockade.
Presenting his ideas at the plenary session, the Nicaraguan Foreign Minister mentioned the negative impact of the food crisis plaguing the planet and noted that the sanctions against Russia, Cuba, Nicaragua and North Korea are hampering the true development of the nations.
Grenada’s foreign minister echoed the same sentiments, calling for an end to the sieges of Cuba and Venezuela, a punishment that is causing suffering to the people of those countries.
These were some of the just concerns defended this Tuesday in plenary, a room where people spoke with pride, gratitude and respect about Cuba and its humanistic and supportive position to the world.
Other considerations
The President of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, designated the III. Summit as an opportunity to revitalize bi-regional relations and noted the Iberian nation’s support for projects in the Latin American region.
For his part, Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez suggested not waiting another eight years for new meetings, speaking of exploiting the potential of both regions and moving from rhetoric to action.
uphold humanism; combating armament and production of nuclear weapons; In addition to working on designing policies that actually promote bi-regional integration, other issues covered in the words of the heads of delegations attending the summit included.
As part of the message of unity that Venezuela put forward at the meeting, the Vice President of that country, Delcy Rodríguez, shared the proposal to set up permanent mechanisms of coordination and communication while overcoming divergences as humanity faces major problems that affect everyone.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley said the task of saving humanity and the planet must go hand in hand and that what is necessary is not being done. And the High Representative for Security and Foreign Affairs of the European Union highlighted Colombia’s initiative to decarbonize the two regions, while noting that economic development is a priority for the people.
It has been a long and intense day, the main axis of which can be summed up in the need to do something when the planet is living through its most complex moment, and for this reason it seeks genuine cooperation between people.