The Fifth Plenary Session of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly has been closed in Montevideo with progress in dialogue on relations EU-Mercosur agreement and migration. Furthermore, EUROLAT adopted three resolutions that establish a roadmap for enhanced cooperation on security policy and defense, discussed trade relations with other Latin American regions and propose concrete measures to promote employment of youth and women.

According to the EUROLAT co-president, MEP José Ignacio Salafranca, the latest plenary session has led to the success of the meeting between MEPs and parliamentarians from Latin America and the outcome of this open dialogue held will be useful in future negotiations of agreements such as sensitive Mercosur.

Moreover, the establishment of a framework of fair competition for farmers based on common standards and the traceability of imported agricultural products that responds to the concerns of European producers reached broad consensus. In connection with the banana, the resolution adopted also stressed that the liberalization of its trade must always be accompanied by compensation measures for farmers in more disadvantaged islands or geographical.

Also, the Assembly called for trade measures to facilitate developing countries access to affordable medicines. Other issues discussed during the plenary session were the protection of traditional indigenous economy, support the lifting of the embargo against Cuba or the need to include in any agreement between the two regions a chapter on sustainable development, whose implementation should involve social partners and specialized NGOs.

Regarding the resolution on the promotion of employment, it were approved proposals aimed at improving the professional training of youth and women, combating discrimination and supporting entrepreneurship and self-employment. The parliamentarians also want that the general awareness measures against inequality is committed to a strong support for programs to reconcile work and family life, adoption of regulations that prevent discrimination in compensation and the regularization of housework and dependent care which usually develops in conditions of lawlessness. In the light of these measures, in regard to dependents, the lowering of subsidies for child care, better protection against dismissal of women on maternity leave or the introduction or better use of paternity leave will improve women conditions in Latin America.