Joint declaration of EUROLAT’s left-wing and progressive Latin American and European benches

(Brussels — 30 November to 2 December 2022)

The parliamentarians from the Left-wing and progressive benches of Latin America and Europe who met in the framework of the meetings of the Permanent Parliamentary Committees of EUROLAT in Brussels from 30 November to 2 December:

• Recall the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, that constitute the primary way to resolve differences in our countries, and are one of the pillars in the construction of democracies in Latin America and in the European Union. In this regard, insist on the need to launch initiatives that will put an end to the escalation of confrontation and war, and the urgent opening of negotiations to achieve peace and a political solution to the war in Ukraine, with respect for international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
• Urge that relations between the European Union and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean be mutually advantageous and based on respect for the independence, sovereignty and autonomy of both sides. Reject, in that sense, neocolonial and interventionist tendencies and attempts to create relationships of dependence.
• Condemn the policies of blockade and unilateral sanctions, including economic, commercial and financial, that are imposed unilaterally and against international law against many Latin American countries. They are also an expression of imperialism that tries to suffocate those peoples who have chosen within the framework of their sovereignty to advance towards national policies that do not align with the interests of the big transnational corporations and the economic powers. The economic blockade against Cuba, which has been in place for more than 60 years, is the clearest example of this criminal policy of unilateral sanction by the United States of America. We demand, in particular, the United States of America and the European Union to lift them immediately.
• We reaffirm that states have the obligation to guarantee access to fundamental rights for life, such as the right to health, education, access to drinking water for both human consumption and irrigation and other activities that require this vital element, as well as access to decent housing, among others. In a world where the rich are getting richer and the poor poorer, we demand a better distribution of wealth and greater social justice.
• We stand in solidarity with the workers and peoples of the world who are fighting for a better world of cooperation and peace. We support the struggles of workers and peoples in several European countries against rising costs of living, for better wages and pensions, and for better living and working conditions.
• We welcome the consolidation of alternative models of progress, national development, greater social justice, and happiness for our peoples. Alberto Fernandez, in Argentina, Andrés Manuel Lopéz Obrador, in Mexico, Xiomara Castro in Honduras, Pedro Castillo, in Peru, Luís Arce, in Bolivia, Gabriel Boric in Chile, and the recent victories of Gustavo Petro in Colombia, and Lula da Silva in Brazil, are experiences that are putting and will put the focus on workers and those most disadvantaged.
• We support Colombia’s Total Peace project as a fundamental step to consolidate regional peace in the Andean Area and Latin America.
• We condemn the illegal occupation by the United Kingdom of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands and their surrounding maritime areas. We support the Argentinian Republic’s demand that the United Kingdom recognises Argentinian sovereignty over these islands.
• We conclude that, throughout Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, we must promote the broadest and most solid unity, collaboration and cooperation of left wing and progressive forces.

Parliamentarians:

Julia Perie, Argentina

Adolfo Mendonza Leigue, Bolivia

Gloria Flórez, Colombia

Luis Morlote Rivas, Cuba

Rolando González Patricio, Cuba

Manu Pineda, Spain

María Eugénia Rodriguez Palop, Spain

Leila Chaibi, France

Ana Miranda, Galiza

Aura Lily Escobar Anléu, Guatemala

Guillermo Daniel Ortega Reyes, Nicaragua

Sandra Pereira, Portugal

Bettiana Díaz Rey, Uruguay

Mariano Tucci, Uruguay