Port of Spain, Trinidad, Oct 6 - The Permanent Secretary of the Latin American Economic System (SELA), Carlos Moneta said Monday that hemispheric countries, despite their varying sizes were facing the same challenges and must come together to solve their problems.
"There is a feeling of belonging to the same club which does not exclude anyone on the basis of largeness, smallness, continental or island in nature.
"What makes all these countries equal is the fact that they are facing the same challenges," said Ambassador Moneta while addressing the opening of a technical meeting of the 23rd Latin American Council.
The two day meeting which will examine SELA´s annual report and specific reports on important issues such as the Helms Burton Act and technical cooperation precedes the ministerial meeting which will take place on Wednesday and Thursday.
Moneta said success will only come about when countries of Latin America and the Caribbean join in a single battle.
"Their individual efforts will not suffice to win this battle, they will need to mutually support one another to solve political, economic and social problems, "he told delegates from the 27-member countries and observers.
"It should be recognised that this is a battle which must be fought from a common front leaving no one behind or our of the action framework.
"Success will only be completed and enduring once all the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean have joined in."
The four-day conference which is being held in an English-speaking Caribbean country for the first time has as its theme "growth and employment.
In an attempt to help member states, SELA has made important advances over the course of the year, said Moneta.
Priority has been given to the exchange of experiences among members through meetings and workshops on international economic agenda and development policies.
Extraregional ties have been broadened and training strengthened in areas of trade and integration.
In the area of globalization, SELA plans to meet next year with specialists in member states in order to identify a Latin American and Caribbean agenda for international negotiations.
Moneta said that attention will also be centered on the upcoming Hemispheric Summit and the possible launching of the negotiations for the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
In the area of the European Union, preparations will be made for the 1999 Biregional Summit involving the Caribbean and Latin American and for the possible outcome of a joint proposal on the current and future relations with the EU.
On the issue of the Cuban blockage set up by the United States, Moneta said the Latin America Council continues to condemn this and the Helms-Burton law.
"We are certain that Latin American and Caribbean solidarity with Cuba will be widely supported by those participating at this Council meeting," he said.
