ACS Secretary General Luis Fernando Andrade Falla makes a point during the
9th Forum of Biarritz, France “State of Europe-Latin America Relations

Port of Spain (November 25, 2008) –  Association of Caribbean States (ACS) Secretary General, Ambassador Luis Fernando Andrade Falla travelled to Biarritz, France to participate in the 9th Forum of Biarritz, “State of Europe-Latin America Relations” from 3 - 4 November 2008.

Since 2000, this Forum between Europe and Latin America has been organised on an annual basis, and it is an opportunity for open dialogue on current themes which affect both regions.  The meeting brings together officials from the political, economic and academic fields, as well as other institutions interested in establishing relations between Europe and Latin America.

The Secretary General made a presentation entitled “The state of Europe-Latin America & Caribbean relations. Integration Processes.” Ambassador Andrade outlined the role of the European Union (EU) in consolidating and deepening the integration processes in the region. CARIFORUM countries recently subscribed to the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU. The Central American counties are currently negotiating an Association Agreement with the EU.  Countries of both sub regions are members of the ACS where they converge in a common agenda of cooperation and integration processes. The ACS therefore continues to serve as a link among these sub-regions of the Greater Caribbean.

Other major themes for the Forum included: governance, immigration, energy, food, environmental and national security.

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