On the 15th of November, the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament will host a hybrid high-level meeting in the plenary in Brussels, which will bring together leaders from both Europe and Latin America to discuss how to emerge stronger from the Covid-19 pandemic implementing a progressive agenda.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 35th President of the Republic of Brazil, will deliver a keynote address in person. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, former Prime Minister of Spain, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Mayor of Mexico City, and Claudia Nayibe López Hernández, Mayor of Bogota City, will join S&D leader Iratxe García Pérez, S&D vice-president for foreign affairs Pedro Marques, S&D EuroLat coordinator Maria-Manuel Leitão Marques and S&D MEP and Eurolat co-President Javi López.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 35th President of the Republic of Brazil and S&D leader Iratxe García Pérez will kick-off the event with a joint press conference.
At the end of the High-Level Conference, the S&D Group will adopt a Declaration on relations with Latin America.
Former President of Brasil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will also address the Global Progressive Forum, which will take place from 17 to 19 November 2021 and will be hosted by the S&D Group in the European Parliament and the Party of the European Socialists.
In Spring 2022, the S&D Group will host the Latin America Days in the European Parliament to further strengthen bonds between Europe and Latin America.
S&D leader Iratxe García Pérez said:
“We progressives in Europe and Latin America are united by our commitment to solidarity and equality, human rights and democracy. The Covid-19 pandemic has hit people hard, taking lives and livelihoods. Together, we must do our utmost to ensure a speedy, fair and inclusive recovery building back better on both sides of the Atlantic. We strongly denounce the politicisation of human rights by the right-wing, both in Europe and Latin America. Systematic attempts to undermine democratic institutions, violate the separation of powers, fuel hatred and division are met with our firmest resistance.
“Strengthening cooperation between our two continents is an utmost priority for my group. Stronger bonds between Europe and Latin America will enable us to better address the common challenges we face and together contribute to a new global progressive agenda.”
Programme:
From 16.15 – 16.45 Press Conference with S&D leader Iratxe García Pérez and former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the European Parliament’s press conference Room Anna Politkovskaya. Journalists can participate both in the room and remotely.
Monday, November 15th, 17h00 – 19h30
Opening:
Iratxe García Pérez, President, S&D Group in the European Parliament
High Level Meeting – Together Through Crisis for a New Progressive Agenda
Keynote Speech:
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 35th President of the Republic, Brazil
In the Chair:
Pedro Marques, Vice-President, S&D Group in the European Parliament
Speakers:
Dra. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Mayor of México City, México
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Prime Minister 2004-2011, Spain
Claudia Nayibe López Hernández, Mayor of Bogotá, Colombia, tbc
Closing:
Maria-Manuel Leitão Marques, EUROLAT S&D Coordinator
Javi López, EUROLAT Co-Chair
Both the press conference and the high-level conference will be streamed in EN, FR, PT, ES, IT and DE here: www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu.
Journalists wishing to participate in the press conference remotely or follow the high-level conference in the room are kindly asked to register with: silvia.pelz@ep.europa.eu.