SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Oct. 9 (EUROPE PRESS) –
The ‘I High-Level Forum of Central America and the Caribbean/European Union’ that took place on the island of Tenerife concluded this Saturday with the approval of the Declaration of La Laguna, a document that advocates continuing the exchange of experiences between these territories.
This has been reported by the organization, which recalls that this international event sponsored by the Government of the Canary Islands and the United Nations-UNAOC has brought together nearly fifty authorities, including ministers and deputy ministers from various states in the area.
For its part, the Declaration of La Laguna has highlighted the leadership of the archipelago as an Atlantic bridge between Central America and the Caribbean with the European Union, gathering the existing interest in continuing exchanges and experiences in these areas between the states and institutions participating in the Forum. .
In addition, the document highlights that the Spanish presidency in the EU that will take place in the second half of next year 2023 “will be an excellent opportunity for new high-level meetings between the states and institutions of Central America with the European Union in the Canary Islands” .
Finally, the Declaration of La Laguna has expressed its solidarity with those affected by hurricane ‘Ian’ and those of the volcanic eruption on the island of La Palma.
STRENGTHEN THE ROLE OF THE CANARY ISLANDS AS A BRIDGE
During the closing of the forum, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Action of the Canary Islands, Juan Rafael Zamora, made special emphasis on the commitment of the authorities of the archipelago to reinforce the role of the Canary Islands as a bridge between Central America and the Caribbean with the European Union.
In addition, he explained to the Central American, Caribbean and European authorities the importance that the Government of the Canary Islands attached to the next six-monthly Spanish Presidency of the European Union that will take place in 2023.
For her part, the Minister of Labor of Panama, Doris Zapata, expressed her government’s support for the process of integration and unity in Central America and the Caribbean during the event.
At the same time, he exposed the need to increase the efforts of the countries of the region to strengthen their cooperation in various areas.
Zapata also commented on the public policies for social protection and defense of workers’ rights promoted by the government of President Laurentino Cortizo.
THE ‘CENTRAL AMERICAN PLAN’, A “VERY POSITIVE INITIATIVE”
The President of the Euro-Central American Conference, David Balsa, described the program promoted by the US Vice President, Kamala Harris, of the ‘Central America Plan’ as a “very positive initiative for the region” and insisted on the importance of incorporating the demands and requests made from the regional institutionality to it.
Lastly, the president of the Euro-Central American Conference, David Balsa, advocated increasing European aid to the region, especially to countries such as Cuba due to the serious damage caused by Hurricane ‘Ian’ and to Haiti due to the security crisis in the country.
The Secretary General of SIECA, Mr. Francisco A. Lima, also spoke on the closing day from Guatemala City, stating that “the Central American Economic Integration System (SIECA) and its eight states are committed to an economic recovery social and inclusive after the Covid 19 epidemic”.
In addition, the president of the Central American Court of Justice, César Salazar, opted to expand the powers of this institution in the Central American region to facilitate regional integration in line with the courts of Justice of the European Union.
A MORE HUMANE MANAGEMENT OF MIGRATION POLICIES
The Canarian deputy and spokesman for Migration in the Congress of Deputies, Luc André, defended in his speech at the closing session the values of tolerance and respect in migratory policies, advocating for a more humane and supportive management of migratory flows both in Central America and the Caribbean and in Africa.
Likewise, the President of the European Movement and member of the “Conference for the Future of Europe”, Francisco Aldecoa, explained the convenience that the Spanish Presidency of the EU be used by Spain to reinforce European integration in a federalist way, as well as the role of the Canary Islands as a bridge between the Central American and Caribbean countries with Europe.
Finally, among other authorities, the secretary general of the Central American Social Integration Secretariat (SISCA), Anita Araceli Zetina, and the deputy of the Board of Directors of the Central American Parliament, Uarren Beitia, intervened with speeches at the closing.
