Minister Nickolay Mladenov took part in the first EU-CELAC meeting
27 January 2013 News
“Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean do not only have historical ties, but should work together more closely for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and in the fight against organised crime and trafficking.” This was said by Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov in the Chilean capital Santiago, where he took part in the first European Union – Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Summit, entitled “Working Together Towards Growth and Stability”.
Expressing optimism about the future deepening of relations between the EU and CELAC, Mladenov called for the avoidance of protectionism and unencumbered development of regional trade links. “The economic debate today is about how to maintain fiscal and financial discipline, to create the foundations for real economic growth. For Bulgaria, the answer is clear – fiscal discipline, low debt and taxes. Bulgaria is an open economy, which is producing more and has an interest in free trade,” he said. The Minister highlighted co-operation in the peaceful resolution of conflicts, dwelling in particular on the efforts of our Europe to regulate the Syrian crisis and calling on all to support the application by 57 countries in the UN for the situation in Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court.
The Bulgarian Foreign Minister dwelt on two forthcoming events – the signing of an arms trade limitation treaty in 2013 and the Review Conference on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 2013 – as two issues on which Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean were working together.
During the forum, Minister Mladenov met with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Panama, Francisco Alvarez De Soto, with whom he discussed the possibilities for the development of bilateral relations through the establishment of a mechanism for political consultations and more active use of the Bulgarian Honorary Consulate in Panama. It was emphasised that there is an essential need to promote free trade between the EU and Central America, including Panama, which is the largest importer of European goods. Mladenov raised with the Panamanian side the issue of ensuring a fair trial for Captain Svetlozar Sobadzhiev, the Bulgarian citizen in custody in Panama, to which Deputy Minister De Soto responded with a promise of assistance.
At the forum, 61 countries from the two regions are represented, along with international organisations, observer countries and special guests. There were also side-events, in which members of parliament, judges, scholars, business people and representatives of civil society from the EU and CELAC took part. The main goal of the Summit is to strengthen regional relations and discuss topics of common interest, especially in the areas of sustainable development, investment, corporate social responsibility, among others.
This is the first Summit in this format, which continues traditions in relations between the EU and Latin America. CELAC was founded in December 2011 in Caracas.
On January 26, Minister Mladenov, in his capacity as head of the Bulgarian delegation, will take part in the opening and the work of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the EU and CELAC.