The chancellor santiago cafiero highlighted this Tuesday the idea of “revitalize extra-regional mechanisms” with countries such as “India, China, and the European Union” and advocated “exploring the path of a mechanism with the Asean African Union”, warning that these are “essential mechanisms for Latin America and the Caribbean” that establish a “testimony of peace in the face of uncertainty and war”.
In a press conference offered after the closing of the VII Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) that took place in Buenos Aires, Cafiero pointed out that “Latin America and the Caribbean is the most densely populated zone of peace in the world.”
Taking stock of the summit, the foreign minister commented that “the consensus on the Buenos Aires declaration was achieved and the necessary consensus was reached for the 11 thematic declarations.”
Also “It was possible to advance in the rotation by subregion” for the election of the pro tempore presidency, “which was an Argentine commitment, to further democratize the Celac space”he referred.
The VII Summit ?? of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States began.
Here are the 33 countries practicing a multilateralism of solidarity to overcome the culture of hate with dialogue and respect.#UnityInDiversity pic.twitter.com/NRd5w3rOcz
– Santiago Cafiero (@SantiagoCafiero) January 24, 2023
For Cafiero, it is important to “propose the challenges we have as a region” to close “the inequality gaps”, and pointed out that “finding paths for economic and social growth are part of the discussions we have had today.”
The official remarked that “the path that Argentina gave Celac in its pro tempore presidency was the right one, in a post-pandemic management with vaccination, and then with the war” in Ukraine, for what was possible ” put before each challenge the need for greater integration”.
According to Cafiero, “globalization is in decline and the Strengthening Latin America and the Caribbean is essential for our people and to relate to the whole world”.
On political crisis in Peru stated that “during the working day there were 33 statements” in which “some countries touched on the issue and the concern about the institutional crisis and the violation of human rights that is being carried out regarding institutional violence, and for everyone it was a relevant issue”.
“Some touched it and others did not, but for all the countries, respect for human rights is essential and we have been raising it in all forums, that they return to the path of human rights,” he completed.
Celac leaders advocated for unity in diversity and demanded concrete actions that reflect the integration of the region
✍️ Marianela Mayer and Cecilia Scholarshiphttps://t.co/no1KPU9d8A
– Telam Agency (@AgenciaTelam) January 25, 2023
About a leak recorded audio of Chilean Foreign Minister Antonia Urrejola during a reserved conversation with her collaborators, in which the diplomat spoke about how to respond to previous criticisms of the Argentine ambassador in Santiago, Rafael Bielsaregarding the cancellation of a mining project, Cafiero indicated that that excerpt “does not define the relationship between the sister nations of Argentina and Chile.”
“We are working on integration with Chile, especially with (the president) gabriel boricdue to the affinity in the needs of our peoples,” he said.
He pointed out that “the huge border does not have to be a barrier but a possibility to connect us“, and exemplified with the “energy, fiber optic integration”, in addition to the fact that, he said, “thinking of regional production chains, where value is added, potential is seen.”
Regarding previous statements by the Uruguayan president Luis Lacalle Pou Regarding the need for these forums not to become “a club of friends”, the Argentine foreign minister replied that “The main thing is to highlight what multilateralism is, to generate mechanisms for opinions to be expressed, and here the possibility is that the word is expressed”with “opinions on the table”.
In another section, he thanked the press for “having publicized the most relevant foreign policy meeting of the community of Latin American and Caribbean States.”
“There will be editorial lines, and from Argentina we practice freedom of expression, and I want to thank you for having been here all day covering the participation of the leaders in a Summit that had not taken place for many years and that practices the multilateralism of solidarity that we want to promote Latin America and the Caribbean”, he pointed out.
