José-Maria Zufiaur

José-Maria Zufiaur

There was an at times impassioned debate later this evening on the subject of the political, economic and social dimensions of EU-Latin America relations. The rapporteur, José Maria Zufiaur Narvaiza (a Spanish member of the Employees’ Group), put a special emphasis on human rights, though the debate, like the opinion, was spread across all aspects of EU-Latin America relations. Zufiaur’s opinion argues that civil society can play a stronger role in raising awareness about relations between the two continents and in enhancing transparency and effectiveness. Adopted with a very large majority and not a single vote against, the opinion will provide a basis for the work of the sixth meeting of civil society organisations from the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean, set to take place in Madrid from 5 to 7 May this year. The EESC is organising this meeting as part of civil society’s contribution to the next Summit of Heads of State and Government of the EU and of Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC Summit).