Dr. Leonel Fernández Asserts that Creation of EU-LAC Foundation Represents a New Paradigm for International Relations

The Former President of the Dominican Republic and President of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), Dr. Leonel Fernández, asserted on Monday, September 17, that the creation of the European Union, Latin American and the Caribbean Foundation (EU-LAC Foundation) represents a new paradigm for international relations that, in collaboration
with non-State actors, develops and implements a strategic vision for regional exchange within a globalized world.

The Former President delivered his address during the opening of the panel on strategic cooperation for Latin America and the Caribbean, which formed part of the forum “New Grounds for the Relations between the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean – Towards a Relevant Partnership” organized by the EU-LAC Foundation, the German Institute of
Global and Area Studies (GIGA) and the Andean Development Corporation –Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) in Hamburg, Germany.

The EU-LAC Foundation was created in May of 2012 with the objective of uniting the non-governmental sectors of Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean to involve them in the agendas being developed by governments in these two regions. GFDD, FUNGLODE and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL) have
been selected by the EU-LAC Foundation to serve as strategic partners for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The forum included the participation of a wide selection of participants from various sectors, including academics, high-level officials, opinion makers and entrepreneurs.

During his address, Dr. Leonel Fernández emphatically affirmed that the EU-LAC Foundation is the appropriate instrument by which to promote inter-regional relations.

Similar to GFDD and FUNGLODE, the German Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA) is an institution dedicated to producing high quality, independent scholarly research related to regional and inter-regional social, economic and political development in Africa, Asia, Latin America, North Africa and the Middle East. GIGA researchers also concentrate on inter-regional linkages and global themes.

Dr. Fernández underscored the common interests and objectives shared
by the EU-LAC Foundation, GIGA and GFDD and FUNGLODE, stressing the effective ability of the aligned entities to put forth a new vision of bi-regional relations.

“Realizing our goals, not only enriches the lives of the citizens throughout the Atlantic, it also establishes a new model for global exchange, given the present environment of international relations,” declared the former president.

The Role of GFDD
and FUNGLODE
Dr. Fernández conveyed that the mission of GFDD and FUNGLODE has been to realize research, design public policy and offer capacity in areas critical to the social, economic and democratic development of the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean and Latin America.

“At GFDD and FUNGLODE we work towards achieving these goals through research projects, training programs, academic exchange, publications, seminars and
conferences,” affirmed Fernández, “while also working to offer viable plans of action and solutions to national and regional problems.”

The President of GFDD and FUNGLODE also referred to the great challenges being confronted by the organizations. “The task ahead of us is enormous. Our expectations are high and our determination to achieve success is immense.”

He expressed that the Foundations are
following a plan of action that will allow them to mobilize government agencies, corporations, academic institutions, civil society groups, professional associations, communications affiliates and figures interested in collaborating with the institutions in realizing their mission.

Additionally, the former president also stated that he envisions a new world, in which the port of Hamburg can expand its connections with the Panama canal, so that the French corporation
Alstom and the Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica can invest without difficulty in Latin America and the Caribbean.

He also maintained that, within this new context, organic food products from the Caribbean would be able to freely access the European markets, providing opportunities for Deutsche Bank or BNP Paribas to finance development projects, to the extent that Fiat of Italy could increase exports to Latin American and Caribbean markets.

“In this society we are creating through the EU-LAC Foundation, we dream of a new world where we can enjoy the writings of Bertolt Brecht, Albert Camus, Humberto Eco, Pablo Neruda and Gabriel García Márquez,” concluded Dr. Leonel Fernández.

Related links:
http://eulacfoundation.org/
http://www.giga-hamburg.de/english
www.caf.com