During the press conference, the President of the Government explained that this Summit, held in Santiago de Chile, has focused on social cohesion, progress and the need to double efforts in order to fight poverty and favour social rights.
He underlined that social cohesion and aid to development have been a priority for his Government and during this Summit he has transmitted the Heads of State and Government his initiatives as far as this subject is concerned in the case of Latin America.
He explained that Spain and the Spanish citizens want to contribute to the development of this community of countries, which is the reason why Spain has passed from devoting 0.22% of its Gross Domestic Product to devoting 0.5%, foreseen for 2008. This means 900 million Euros of aid for development in 2007.
The priorities as far as this issue is concerned are, according to Mr. Rodriguez Zapatero, education, health and the quick answer in case of emergency situations provoked by natural catastrophes.
As to education, he mentioned the fact that in 2005 he had already announced the exchange of debt for education, which has meant 400 million Euros for Latin America.
As to health, the Head of the Spanish Government announced the creation for Latin America of a Water Fund, endowed with 1,500 million dollars over the next four years. This Fund will provide four and a half million of Latin American citizens who do not have access to drinkable water with it.
The Plan, announced by Mr. Rodriguez Zapatero, has had an "extraordinarily positive" answer and will start to work "immediately". Several governments in the area are going to present proposals for this Fund, according to the Spanish leader.
Answer in case of catastrophes
Another of the priorities enumerated by Mr. Rodriguez Zapatero has been the need to give a quick, urgent answer to the multiple natural catastrophes that take place in Latin American countries and that, as a consequence of the climatic change, have become more intense over the last few years.
The Spanish Cooperation Agency has always answered immediately, the President said, but we will improve its quality and quantity even more, he added.
This is reflected in the preparation of an operational base in Panama, for countries in Central America have always suffered more of those natural catastrophes. Thus, it will be possible to distribute the aid faster and with higher efficiency, Mr. Rodriguez Zapatero explained.
The President also mentioned the "great agreement" on Social Security adopted during the Summit; it will benefit more than four and a half million persons who will be recognised their rights and who will profit from the advantages in the area of Social Security.
He also referred to the fact that the General Iberoamerican Secretariat has been committed the management of the Pablo Neruda Programme that will promote doctorate and master exchanges, similar to the Erasmus Programme.
Associated press note
- The President of the Government will travel to Chile in order to take part in the Iberoamerican Summit (5/11/07)
Associated videos
- Images of the bilateral meetings between Rodriguez Zapatero and the presidents of the Republic of Peru, of the Republic of Costa Rica and of the Republic of Ecuador 1:16
- Family photograph and symbolic tree-planting 0:49
- Speech of the President at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America (CEPAL) 19:36
- Press conference of the President at the International Press Centre 19:36
- Answers of the President to the questions of the journalists during the press conference 22:39