Lima - The fifth European Union-Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) summit was opened Friday in Lima, with a speech by Peruvian President Alan Garcia. Representatives of 60 countries - including heads of government Angela Merkel, of Germany, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero of Spain, and several Latin American presidents as well as European Commission President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso - were taking part at the two-day summit, set to focus on the fight against poverty and climate change.
Shortly before the start of the meeting, Merkel spoke in favour of a stronger European involvement in Latin America.
"Latin America puts great hope on the partnership with Europe. We Europeans face the challenge of promoting it," Merkel said.
She did not, however, mention her ongoing verbal clash with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and stressed only that this is set to be a good summit.
