Today the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament hosted the seventh Latin American Forum. They talked with leaders from Latin American left-wing parties about the need to promote progressive policies in order to stop neoliberal globalisation*.
 
Carlos Zorrinho MEP, the S&D co-ordinator for the Eurolat Parliamentary Assembly said:
 
"At a time of mistrust of globalisation, we have witnessed the resurgence of nationalisms, which reject global agreements, new-generation trade treaties, cultural tolerance and the free movement of goods, people and services.
 
“However, the weaker the political regulation, the greater the inequalities and the danger of actions which compromise the sustainability of the planet. It is therefore imperative for Europeans to fight for fair and politically progressive globalisation to strengthen relations with our Latin American partners. At these challenging times, we need to stay together and today’s meeting was a valuable example of our strong co-operation."
 
Ramón Jáuregui MEP, the co-president of the EuroLat Assembly, added:
 
“The S&D Group wants to put Latin America on Europe’s agenda and to establish a framework for relations between social democracy and the Latin America left.
 
“We the European Socialists and Democrats believe that the relations between Latin America and the United States will undergo an abrupt downturn with the upcoming Trump presidency. Europe should take this opportunity to be more present politically and economically in this continent. In that sense, the agreement with Cuba, the involvement in the Colombian peace process, the aid to Central America and the future agreement with Mercosur are priority objectives for the EU.
 
“A strategic alliance of the left in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean can strengthen the global progressive agenda. This is why our international goals include:
 
•    a common strategy against tax havens and tax evasion
•    regulating the international financial system
•    fighting climate change
•    a social and labour model that promotes decent work and social protection.”


*See the programme: http://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/events/vii-latin-american-forum-new-generation-progressive-policies-latin-america

MEPs involved
Member
Portugal