Carpio, The Latin American and Caribbean

The Third Summit of Heads of State and Government of Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union was held in Guadalajara, Mexico on May 28-29, 2004 and was attended by 58 Heads of State and/or Government: 33 from Latin America and the Caribbean and 25 from the European Union, including the ten new Members from Eastern Europe, for whom this summit represented their baptism as Members of the European Union in an international setting. Also participating were various intergovernmental bodies, among which the Association of Caribbean States was highlighted, as this was its first time attending the summit and given the important acknowledgements received by the ACS.

The results of this meeting (Round Tables and Declaration of Guadalajara) hold strategic interest of prime importance to our region since, in our globalized world, the diversification of dependencies is the only path toward true and viable independence. The summit was an excellent opportunity for biregional partners to hold extensive discussions on fundamental issues concerning the summit's two focal themes of Social Cohesion and Multilateralism.

Without downplaying the importance of social cohesion, I would like to focus on the matter of multilateralism, as topics of vital importance were addressed for the purpose of strengthening it. In this respect, it was unanimously agreed that multilateral approaches to global problems carry more weight now than ever before, as no country can take on the global challenge on its own. There was general agreement regarding the multidimensional challenges being faced by the modern world and that by strengthening multilateralism, this will become the nucleus of strategic partnerships between Latin American and Caribbean countries and the European Union, as they share a vision of an international order based on human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles.

The summit yielded significant agreements for the ACS where its mandate is concerned, having recognized that regional organizations play a crucial role in the creation of a multilateral system that can face the future. According to the summit, the process of European integration, as well as Latin American and Caribbean organizations, are examples of an effective multilateralism that depends on the equality and strength of members. Furthermore, the summit agreed that consolidating regionalism is one way of reinforcing multilateral action, which must favor the forces emanating from the multilateral system over countries' coalitions, in the event of conflicts. For the participants, there is no contrast between regionalism and multilateralism, since regionalism in itself, constitutes a highly advanced expression of multilateralism.

In the Declaration of Guadalajara, the Heads of State and/or Government acknowledge the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) as an important regional entity, through which co-operation can be deepened and consolidated between the European Union and the Greater Caribbean. They also recognize the progress made by the 28 Members of the ACS in consolidating a Cooperation Zone of the Greater Caribbean, through political dialogue, cooperation, consultations and coordinated actions in the areas of trade, sustainable tourism, transport and natural disasters. The declaration further notes the efforts undertaken by the Caribbean countries assembled in the Association of Caribbean States, to develop and seek international recognition for the Caribbean Sea as an Area of Special Importance in the context of sustainable development.

Luis Carpio is the Political Adviser of the Association of Caribbean States. The views expressed are not necessarily the official views of the ACS. Feedback can be sent to mail@acs-aec.org.

Also in this section:
Leis, Justice on trial
What they're saying about Iraq
Gore, Disgrace and humiliation
Bush, Speech to the Air Force Academy graduating class
Gutman, The timid Honduran press
Cryan, Mainstream reporting about Colombia
Carpio, The Latin America and Caribbean - European Union summit
Bond, Brown's broken promise
Durán, Split in the Panamanian left
Jackson, No blank check for the Electoral Tribunal

opinion

The Latin American and Caribbean / European Union Summit: multilateralism and regionalism