Social exclusion hurting regional development

SOCIAL EXCLUSION is one of the biggest obstacles hindering the development of Latin America and the Caribbean, and this issue will feature prominently on the agenda of the Third Summit of Heads and Govern-ment of the European Union (EU) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to be held in Guadalajara, Mexico, on May 28. In a statement yesterday, the European Commission (EC) indicated that “addressing the extraordinary high level of social exclusion throughout the region would contribute greatly to the consolidation of democratic institutions and to sustainable economic development.”

EC External Relations Commis-sioner Chris Patten said: “Regional integration and social cohesion in Latin America are important priorities for the EU. At Guadalajara, we must make concrete progress on both fronts for the sake of Latin America itself as well as to deepen bilateral relations.” The EC noted that next month’s summit will give the attending heads of state the opportunity “to assess the current state of their bi-regional relations, which aim at contributing to peace, political stability and economic development in the region.” The EC added that the EU is contributing to these objectives “through political dialogue, cooperation and economic relations.”

The EC expressed the hope that the summit will help the region to fulfill its potential and facilitate the insertion of individual countries into the international markets. On the political side, the EC said it was hopeful that the summit would allow the region to become “a more influential player on the global scene.” EC Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said: “In Guadala-jara, we want to send a clear signal that the EU and LAC are working together to push the WTO Doha Round of trade talks while we continue strengthening our trade and economic relations.”