1. We, the Heads of State and Government of the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean, the President of the European Council and the President of the Commission, have convened in Madrid on 18 May 2010, in order to reaffirm our commitment to continue promoting and strengthening our Bi-regional Strategic Partnership based on our common principles, values and interests. To this end, we undertake to reinforce our dialogue and cooperation in the priority areas we jointly identified in five previous Summits since Rio de Janeiro in 1999 emphasizing for this Summit innovation and technology for sustainable development and social inclusion.
I PARTNERS IN JOINTLY ADDRESSING GLOBAL CHALLENGES
2. In order to promote peace and security, freedom, democracy, rule of law, human rights and prosperity, we reiterate our commitment to multilateralism, mainly in the framework of the United Nations system. Within this context, we shall intensify our efforts at both sub-regional and bi-regional levels to identify common interests and, whenever possible, coordinate positions and actions in the multilateral organizations and fora of which our countries are Parties. In order to continue promoting an effective multilateral system, we remain willing to cooperate in the reform of the United Nations, with the aim of strengthening the capacity of the UN to face the many challenges posed by the new millennium.
We recognise the need to pursue the comprehensive reform of the main UN bodies, among them the General Assembly, ECOSOC and the Security Council with a view to enhancing the representativeness, transparency and effectiveness of the system.
3. We reiterate our support to nuclear disarmament and non proliferation. We commit ourselves to continuing our joint efforts toward the success of the VIII Review Conference on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
4. We equally commit to the United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty, which will be undertaken in an open and transparent manner, on the basis of consensus, to achieve a strong and robust treaty.
5. We confirm our commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the 1993 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action as well as to the promotion and protection of universal human rights as well as highlight our willingness to cooperate towards the common goal of attaining the highest human rights standards. Furthermore, we emphasise our mutual wish to extend our coordination, in fora such as the Human Rights Council in Geneva and the UNGA Third Committee in New York.
We acknowledge the efforts related to the moratorium on the use of the death penalty.
6. We reaffirm our commitment to fight impunity, in particular for the most serious crimes under international law, notably those referred to in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Their prosecution should be ensured by taking measures at the national or appropriate level and by enhancing international cooperation. We invite those countries which are not parties to consider the possibility to ratify or accede, as applicable, to the Rome Statute. We welcome the forthcoming ICC Review Conference in Kampala, Uganda, from May 31st to June 11th, 2010
7. We reaffirm our commitment to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. We reaffirm our decision to support all efforts to uphold sovereign equality of all States, to respect their territorial integrity and political independence, to refrain in our international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations, to uphold resolution of disputes by peaceful means and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law.
We firmly reject all coercive measures of unilateral character with extraterritorial effect that are contrary to international law and the commonly accepted rules of free trade. We agree that this type of practice poses a serious threat to multilateralism. In this context, and with reference to UNGA resolution A/RES/64/6, we reaffirm our well-known positions on the application of the extra-territorial provisions of the Helms-Burton Act.
8. We are determined to intensify our cooperation in order to address the global consequences of the economic and financial crisis and to prevent such crises from unfolding again, in line with the outcomes of the UN Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and its impact on Development (June 22nd-23rd, 2009), and also taking into account the goals set by the G-20 and appropriate regional fora. We will continue to strive to apply macroeconomic and financial policies designed to prevent future financial crises with their attendant economic and social consequences; foster balanced and sustainable global economic growth; restore confidence; and stabilize world financial markets. We underline the importance to devote special attention to the social and economic impact of the crisis notably in developing countries. We emphasise the need to reinforce support for vulnerable and poor people.
In that context, we reaffirm our commitment to work together towards a new international financial architecture, including the reform of the international financial institutions, giving increased voice and voting power to underrepresented developing and transition countries while also delivering on non-quota governance reforms. We also reaffirm our commitment to put in place reforms of the international regulatory and financial supervision framework, aimed at guaranteeing the stability and solvency of our financial systems.
9. We recall the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW), as well as the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the “Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action” (Beijing plus 15) and emphasize the importance of gender equality and the empowering of women, increasing their participation in political, social and economic activities and addressing the negative impact of the international financial crisis on their status.
On the same line, we strongly condemn all kind of gender-based violence, and recognize the need to take every necessary measure to prevent and eradicate it. We acknowledge that gender issues need to be integrated into every aspect of the international agenda, including climate change. In this respect, we are committed to cooperate, with a view to develop a future dialogue.
10. We express our intent to improve the coherence and effectiveness of our development cooperation policies and to achieve the target of 0.56% by 2010 and to achieve the target of ODA/GNI ratio of 0.7% for the EU by 2015 as reflected in the Monterrey Consensus and the Vienna Summit Declaration. The Member States which joined the EU after 2002 will endeavour to increase their ODA/GNI ratio to 0.33% by 2015. Furthermore, we recognize the importance of working together at the United Nations High-Level Plenary Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in September 2010, with a view to an action oriented outcome to achieve the MDGs between now and 2015. We also recognize the significant progress made at regional levels towards achieving the MDGs.
11. We reiterate our commitment to pay special attention to least developed countries, land-locked developing countries and small island developing states
12. We are committed to avoid protectionism in all its forms. We remain determined to favour an open and non discriminatory, rules-based multilateral trade system and fully respect its disciplines, and we recognize its contribution in promoting the recovery from the economic crisis, and in promoting growth and development, in line with the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries where appropriate. Concerning the ongoing WTO negotiating agenda, we reiterate our commitment to coordinate efforts towards achieving an ambitious, comprehensive, balanced and rapid conclusion of the Doha Development Round.
13. We recognize the principle of the sovereign right of States to manage and regulate their natural resources. Sustainability criteria should be taken into account.
We regard as essential contributions to the eradication of poverty and to the Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, the diversification and complementarity of the energy matrix, including through the promotion of renewable energy, as well as greater energy efficiency and energy savings in all sectors of the economies, including transports, changes in the current patterns of consumption and production, improved regional energy interconnectivity and peoples´ access to energy services.
We will exchange experiences on bio-fuel technology, norms and regulations, on hydroelectric and on other energies.
14. We acknowledge our common interest in improving energy efficiency and in reducing the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions in consumption and production activities in our countries, according to existing international commitments, to address the economic, social, environmental and other challenges posed by climate change. We further underline the importance of low emissions sustainable development strategies, for growth and development, in guiding and implementing adaptation and mitigation measures and actions. In accordance with the commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), we shall strengthen trust between our regions on climate change issues and intensify our cooperation, towards achieving its objectives.
15. After COP 15 in Copenhagen and working together ahead of the COP 16 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, recognising scientific views regarding the limit for the increase in the global temperature and building on progress made so far in the formal multilateral process, through the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol, we express our support to Mexico in obtaining, through a transparent and inclusive negotiation process towards a comprehensive, ambitious and effective legally binding outcome aimed at reducing and limiting greenhouse gas emissions in order to achieve the ultimate objective of the UNFCCC, taking into account the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.
16. We take note that events were organized to stimulate the debate on Climate Change, such as the Conference on Climate Change that took place in Cochabamba which conclusions have been sent to the UNFCCC, and the Dialogue for Progressive Action that took place in Cartagena.
17. We are determined to step up our efforts within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and will continue our efforts to significantly reduce the loss of biodiversity, bearing in mind the MDGs and the contribution of biodiversity for poverty eradication. We are determined to work towards the adoption of an effective and focused Strategic Plan for the post-2010 period including measurable, achievable and realistic targets, at the 10th Conference of the Parties to the CBD (COP10).
18. We also reconfirm our commitment to successfully conclude the negotiations on an international legal regime on access to genetic resources and benefit sharing (ABS) at COP10. We look forward to reaching an agreement on whether to establish an intergovernmental platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services (IPBES) at the third and final ad hoc meeting in Busan, Republic of Korea, in June 2010.
19. We are determined to positively contribute to the launching of the UNEP Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop a legally binding instrument on mercury, which first session will take place in Stockholm, from 7 to 11 June 2010.
20. We reaffirm that every culture has a right to exist and to preserve its own cultural heritage. In this regard, intercultural dialogue should foster mutual understanding, safeguard diversity, and cultural identity, while fostering the development of cultural industries.
21. We should intensify our cooperation regarding the challenges posed by terrorism, trans-national organized crime, corruption, illegal trafficking in arms and ammunition, the world drug problem, drugs related arms trafficking, money laundering, trafficking in persons, especially women and children; and smuggling of migrants.
We express our concern at the growing violence related, in some cases, to criminal organizations involved in the trafficking in illicit drugs, and call for actions to prevent those organizations from acquiring the means to pursue their activities that have the potential to affect civil society as well as law enforcement authorities.
We strongly reject terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirm that, Which ever its origin or motivation, it does not find any justification whatsoever. We reiterate also our commitment to prevent, fight and eliminate terrorism and its financing through the broadest cooperation.
Our cooperation to fight all these challenges will be carried out with full respect to human rights and the rule of law and in compliance with international law.
22. We support cooperation in peace and security matters with the objective to strengthen the role of the UN in this field, including conflict prevention and crisis management. We will develop our bi-regional dialogue in this area
II. STRENGTHENING OUR BI-REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP
23. We welcome the advances made in our Strategic Partnership. We hereby commit to further strengthening this partnership, with the goals of deepening political dialogue and regional integration, promoting social inclusion and cohesion as well as intensifying bilateral relations between individual countries from both regions.
24. In particular, we express our satisfaction with these developments:
EU-Colombia and Peru: conclusion of the negotiation of a Multi-party Trade Agreement
EU-Central America: conclusion of the negotiations for an Association Agreement;
EU-CARIFORUM: renewed regional political dialogue, launched on the 23rd of March 2010 in Kingston, Jamaica, and progress towards establishing a new Joint EU-Caribbean Strategy.
3rd EU-Brazil Summit within the framework of the EU-Brazil Strategic Partnership
5th EU-Mexico Summit and the adoption of a Joint Executive Plan, within the framework of the EU-Mexico Strategic Partnership.
4th EU-Chile Summit and Establishment of the EU-Chile Association for Development and Innovation (ADI).
25. EU-MERCOSUR negotiations: we recall the importance of the negotiation recently re-launched in view of reaching an ambitious and balanced Association Agreement between the two regions.
26. We express our satisfaction for the decision taken by the Heads of State and Government of Latin America and the Caribbean to create the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, as the first mandate in the Presidential Declaration of the “Latin America and the Caribbean Unity Summit” held in Cancún on February 23rd, 2010. We also express our support to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and to the Republic of Chile in their task to respectively organize the Summits of the CALC and of the Rio Group on July 5th, 2011 in Venezuela and in 2012 in Chile with the commitment aimed to real progress towards consolidating the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.
27. We reaffirm our commitment to contribute at the long term and to the utmost of our capacity, in the joint efforts undertaken in favour of the Haitian people, and for the recovery and reconstruction of the country and its institutions, in accordance with the priorities and most fundamental needs of the people and Government of Haiti. We express our belief that the recent natural disaster must be converted not only into opportunities to “build back better”, but also to foster overall economic and social progress, in accordance with the country´s Action Plan for National Recovery and Development. In this context, we look forward to the success of the Santo Domingo Conference to be held on June, 2nd 2010.
28. We also express our intent to strengthen cooperation for the prevention and the management of the effects of natural disasters. We recognize the importance of ICT networks and infrastructure, in natural disasters situation as instruments for the prevention and the management of natural disasters.
29. Following the commitments undertaken by us in Lima, in 2008, we express our satisfaction with the launch on June 30th, 2009, of the EU-LAC Structured and Comprehensive Dialogue on Migration, and support the principles and the full implementation of its agenda, as agreed in the document “Basis for structuring the EU-LAC dialogue”, adopted on that occasion. Through a multidimensional approach, this Dialogue is intended to achieve a better understanding of the realities of migration and to promote effective enjoyment and protection of human rights for all migrants in both regions, as well as to identify challenges and areas of mutual interest that require common solutions and concrete result-oriented cooperation on specific issues, such as those specified in our Action Plan.
30. In the context of our Dialogue we should also address measures to combat trafficking in human beings, smuggling of migrants and in assisting the victims. We also express our concern for all practices based on intolerance and racial prejudice.
31. The EU-LAC strategic partnership should assume a key role in future climate change and biodiversity negotiations, and in this regard we have initiated a EULAC Dialogue on Climate Change and Environment based on the relevant commitments of the “Lima Agenda for Sustainable Development: Environment; Climate Change; Energy” as well as on biodiversity which we aim to accomplish. Within the framework of the Dialogue, the importance of advancing in the implementation of the Lima Agenda was stressed. We express our political support for exploring innovative initiatives in this respect.
32. We are committed to promoting integrated strategies as well as public policies— including social protection and fiscal policies—aimed at eradicating poverty and reducing inequality and social exclusion. We encourage the incorporation of young people to decent, dignified and productive jobs and to ensure education and professional training systems that respond to the needs of the labour market, development objectives as well as to address and prevent long term unemployment.
33. We welcome the active role played by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and its Latin American and Caribbean counterparts.
34. We shall intensify our existing bi-regional cooperation to tackle the world drug problem, in accordance with the principle of common and shared responsibility. In this context we welcome the Madrid Declaration adopted at the XII High Level Meeting of the LAC-EU Coordination and Cooperation Mechanism on Drugs, Madrid, April 26th and 27th, 2010
35. We welcome the creation of a new Latin America Investment Facility (LAIF) by the EU, whose main objective is to serve as a leverage to mobilize additional financing to support investment in Latin America, which are to aid the progress in the priority areas. At the same time, we look forward to the creation of the Caribbean Infrastructure Fund. These initiatives will increase the capacity to finance projects in key sectors in the Latin American and Caribbean region.
36. Further to the initiative taken at the Lima Summit, we have decided to create an EU-LAC Foundation, which Terms of Reference we have received. This Foundation is conceived as a useful tool for strengthening our bi-regional partnership and a means of triggering debate on common strategies and actions as well as enhancing its visibility. The Senior Officials will adopt the decision on the headquarters of the Foundation.
37. We note the resolutions of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (Eurolat) and invite it to continue strengthening its action to the benefit of both regions.
38. We welcome the meetings and activities that took place between the Summits in Lima and Madrid, as well as their contributions, on issues that are part of the bi-regional Agenda, as well as all initiatives to follow-up our commitments. We are thankful to all EU and LAC countries that have hosted and supported these meetings.
39. We seek to achieve concrete results and greater added value in our bi-regional dialogue, extending it to new areas of common interest, as set forth in the joint Action Plan that we hereby adopt today. This Action Plan is mainly aimed at designing bi-regional cooperation programmes and initiatives, including south-south cooperation and triangular cooperation. It includes identifying priority areas in which to work in the future, including sectors such as science, research, innovation and technology; sustainable development; environment; climate change; biodiversity ; energy; regional integration and interconnectivity to promote social inclusion and cohesion; migration; education and employment to promote social inclusion and cohesion; the world drug problem.
III. PROMOTING INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY ON A BI-REGIONAL SCALE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
40. Aware of the key role played by science, technology and innovation for achieving sustainable development and social inclusion, through the social appropriation of knowledge, as well as mutual benefits through cooperation in capacity building, research programmes, and technology transfer activities, through innovation strengthening thematic networks and at increasing competitiveness, at favouring science and technology independence and at promoting greater uptake of science and technology in Latin America, the Caribbean and in the EU, we agree to give priority to bi-regional and triangular cooperation as well as to activities in these fields, especially to enable access to cooperation opportunities to countries with low or no participation in European Programmes.
41. We also decide to strengthen the science, technology and innovation dialogue at ministerial and EU-LAC S&T Senior Officials levels in order to ensure updating and monitoring of priorities and joint instruments, taking into account the interest and differences between and within each region in order to strengthen the enabling environment for social and technological innovation across our societies.
42. Fully committed with priorities and decision taken in earlier EU-LAC Summits to achieve a “EU-LAC Knowledge Area”, we agree on the development and implementation of the EU-LAC Joint Initiative for Research and Innovation (the ‘Initiative’) adopted at the EU-LAC Ministerial Forum on Science and Technology held in Madrid on 14 May 2010. The Initiative is based on a set of pre-existent and new actions combining different types of instruments at national, regional and bi-regional levels, a appropriate, in a complementary and synergistic manner in pursuit of the objectives of the Initiative. The Initiative frames Science and Technology cooperation in close coordination with higher education and innovation actions. This is expected to create conditions for strengthening the interface between research and innovation and to facilitate technology transfer and adaptation in formats accessible to micro and SMEs, including through knowledge and innovation centres network, participation in the European Research Framework Programme, progressive opening of national research programmes, interconnectivity between research infrastructures and promoting cooperation in capacity building human and institutional.
43. In order to pursue these objectives, the above mentioned Joint Action Plan as regards research, technology and innovation comprises implementation of the Joint Initiative for Research and Innovation as well as other bi-regional activities regarding Research and Development and innovation.
44. We very much welcome that the VII LAC-EU Summit will be held in Chile in 2012 and we accept with pleasure the invitation to participate.
45. We thank Spain and the city of Madrid for hosting the VI EU-LAC Summit
