The Vice President of the Republic, José Gabriel Carrizo Jaén participated in the opening ceremony of the III Summit of Heads of State and Government between the European Union (EU) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), in Brussels, Belgium.
Upon his arrival at the Council of the European Union, Carrizo Jaén was received by Charles Michel, President of the European Council; Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; and Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government of Spain. Until December 2023, Spain chairs the Council of the European Union.
The Vice President was accompanied at the opening ceremony by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Janaina Tewaney Mencomo, and the Ambassador of Panama to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the mission to the European Union, Yavel Francis Lanuza.
Under the motto “Renew the bi-regional association to strengthen peace and sustainable development”, this summit is one of the main forums for dialogue and cooperation that brings together leaders from the 33 CELAC member countries and 27 from the EU.
After the inaugural act, Carrizo Jaén in the company of the Panamanian delegation attended the meeting of the Digital Alliance, whose objective is to promote the development of secure, resilient and human-centered digital infrastructures based on a framework based on values, guaranteeing a democratic and transparent environment and with particular emphasis on privacy and digital rights.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Janaina Tewaney Mencomo held a bilateral meeting with her Belgian counterpart Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade and Federal Cultural Institutions in which topics such as: geopolitical dynamics, maritime assets were addressed. global, the importance of the Panamanian logistics hub and the future pro tempore presidency of Belgium of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2024.
