Ibero-American countries sign Asuncion Declaration

Ibero-American countries sign Asuncion Declaration

Representatives from Ibero- American countries signed here on Saturday the Asuncion Declaration, calling for member states' efforts on effective social development.

The document, issued as the main achievement of the 21st Ibero- American Summit held here under the theme of "State Transformation and Development," highlighted renewed consensus on effective social development, such as social equalities and high quality education.

During the summit, the participants also signed 13 agreements representing "peoples' demands and needs," including ones that condemn the economic blockade to Cuba and support the Argentine sovereignty claim over the Falkland Islands.

The declaration, which addresses other aspects such as social inclusion, migration, climate change, security and combating terrorism, was previously scheduled to be signed in the second session late this afternoon, but was advanced because of the change of agenda by some delegations.

Fernando Lugo, president of the host country and first to sign the document, appreciated "the height, depth and maturity" of the debate that led to the signing of the Declaration and "especially in the construction of consensus."

The Ibero-American Summit is an annual gathering of the heads of governments and states of Spanish and Portuguese-speaking nations in Europe and the Americas.

The 21st Ibero-American Summit opened Friday night with heads of state and representatives of some of its 22 member countries gathering here to discuss the state's role during the global economic crisis.

At this year's summit, many presidents failed to show up, including those of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Uruguay and Venezuela. Some Paraguayan newspapers described it as a "record absence" in the summit's history.

Editor: Mu Xuequan

English.news.cn   2011-10-30 05:29:34 FeedbackPrintRSS
ASUNCION, Oct. 29 (Xinhua)