During a meeting of foreign ministers of that organization and the Association of Caribbean States at the United Nations Organization, Cafiero considered it vital that the voice of the region be heard in a time marked by uncertainty.

Likewise, he urged to work to achieve development of the peoples and promote solidarity-based on multilateralism. Since Argentina assumed the pro tempore presidency of CELAC, on January 7 of this year, it has committed itself to carry out an intense agenda that always promotes integration, diversity of voices and respect among all, he affirmed.

On the other hand, he thanked the expressions of solidarity with the vice president of his country, Cristina Fernández, after the assassination attempt against her. All the signs of affection and received speak of the vocation that we have as a space for Latin Americans and Caribbeans to preserve peace, respect for others and eradicate political violence as a mechanism for coexistence, he indicated.

Cafiero also advocated expanding CELAC’s articulation with extra-regional partners such as China and India and with other blocs such as the European Union, the African Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

In this interconnection inside and outside the region, CELAC must play a central role as interlocutor and facilitator of consensus, particularly in a complex international context like the current one, he asserted.

Argentina seeks to maximize the opportunities of the moment and considers that the present is propitious to work on the institutional strengthening of the mechanism, he added.

The participants highlighted the approval of a special declaration by CELAC on the need to provide support to Haiti and recalled that the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of that organization will take place on October 26 in Buenos Aires.

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