EU-CELAC Summit 2013

SOUNDBITE (English) Herman VAN ROMPUY, President of the European Council

It is a meeting of 50 prime ministers and heads of state, representing 1 billion people, so the important of the meeting is already in its composition of the participants. It is an important meeting because we share common values. We share democracy, rule of law, social justice, human rights. It is an alliance of people who believe in common values. Because of our common values, we are looking at what we can do together bilaterally and multilaterally. Bilaterally we can see how we can promote prosperity for all, economic growth and social justice. One main instrument is of course trade, trade was at the heart of the common market, it was at the heart of the European Union. Promoting trade is promoting that kind of strong cooperation between the EU and CELAC. We have already free trade agreements with Mexico and Chile, we are now launching a free trade agreement with Peru and Colombia, we are working with Central American countries, with Caribbean countries, so promoting trade is at the heart of our new cooperation. Multilaterally we can work in international fora. Again, we share the same values here, not only promoting democracy, strengthening those countries that have chosen democracy, but also in the domains of climate change, defending human rights, fighting against organized crime, fighting against terrorism. We have a huge agenda in common, I am looking forward to meeting all those leaders.

Keywords : human rights | Van Rompuy | trade | democracy | CELAC Duration : 00:02:07

SOUNDBITE (English) Herman VAN ROMPUY, President of the European Council

We can cooperate mostly via trade and trade is a driver for economic growth and growth is a driver for prosperity, prosperity for all.

Duration : 00:00:14

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Duration : 00:00:01