On 16-19 March 2015, a delegation of 50 MEPs paid an official visit to Panama for Euro-Latin American parliamentary assembly (EuroLat) committee meetings.
I co-headed the delegation along with Antonio Tajani, who is a parliament vice-president. On the Latin American side, the event gathered about 50 parliamentary representatives from almost every country in the region.
These were the first EuroLat meetings of the current parliamentary term. Our work was divided into four different committees - political affairs, economic affairs, social affairs and sustainable development - and two working groups on migration and women.
A EuroLat civil society meeting was also held, in the presence of the European economic and social committee and several civil society representatives.
"I believe that following the historic reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana, Europe should return to a normal relationship with the island"
Unfortunately, European and Latin American representatives were unable to agree on the issue of Venezuela, and a final joint declaration could not be reached. Nevertheless, I issued a press statement after the meetings, outlining the parliament's delegation's majority position on several current international affairs.
With regards to Cuba, I believe that following the historic reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana, Europe should return to a normal relationship with the island. The negotiations for an EU-Cuba political dialogue and cooperation agreement, as well as EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini's official visit to the country, are good instruments to serve this purpose.
I am deeply concerned about the situation in Venezuela, and I urge all political actors to respect democracy and human rights rules.
Lastly, I am satisfied with the positive steps the Colombian peace process has taken, and would like the national liberation army guerrilla to be included in the negotiations.
Parliament's delegation trip ended with a visit to the Panama canal extension works, where we held a meeting with European companies involved in the project.
EuroLat's next plenary session is due to take place 4-6 June in Brussels, just days before the second summit between the EU and the community of Latin American and Caribbean states heads of state and government. Therefore, some of our discussions in Panama were carried out with the summit in mind.
In this regard, it is important to note that the enlarged EuroLat bureau intends to hold further meetings in Riga 15-16 May, to work on the assembly's political declaration, which will be presented to European and Latin American leaders at the June summit.