A total of 33 Ibero-American states and the 28 from the European Union will attend the Summit. The 61 States are expected to be represented mainly by their heads of state or heads of government. Ecuador currently holds the pro tempore presidency of CLACS.
The aim of the Summit is to provide a renewed boost to bi-regional relations, modernise the agenda and look for greater convergence on global issues. Spain has always supported closer ties between the European Union and the region, in order to make it a key political and economic and trade ally.
During the summit, two working sessions will be held on this goal on 10 June. The first will deal with the areas that could enhance and make progress in bi-regional relations, entitled "Re-invigorating the bi-regional partnership; the second, "Facing global challenges together" will deal with subjects of common interest in which there are possibilities of consensus.
On 11 June, the President of the Government will also attend the retreat session for heads of state and government at which leaders can debate current international issues and events.
They will also study a variety of initiatives and promote and support the processes that are included in a document to be approved by the heads of state and government. The initiatives include a plan to draft agreements for visa exemptions with Peru and Colombia. There are already five such agreements in place with five Caribbean countries.
Close cooperation will also be sought with the CLACS countries through measures such as the signing by the European Commission of the Regional Indicative Programme for the Caribbean, the commitment to countries such as Haiti, which require the solidarity of all parties, and the creation of a new Regional Facility for International Cooperation and Development for Latin America, which includes the possibility of South-South and triangular cooperation operations.
Finally, a Bi-Regional Action Plan will be approved to develop the Madrid (2010) and Santiago de Chile (2013) Action Plans, adding new chapters on cooperation on Higher Education and Citizen Security.
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