Representatives of the European Union in a conversation at the Universidad del Azuay

The May 10 in the Multiple Use Room of the University of Azuay was a discussion on the European Union. The Department of International Relations and the School of International Studies organized the event in commemoration of the 61 number anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome that facilitated the creation of the Union.

The event was attended by Edit Bucsi Szabó, Ambassador of Hungary; Joachim Ernst von Marschall, Ambassador of Germany; Jean-Baptiste Chauvin, Ambassador of France; Marianne Van Steen, Ambassador of the European Union; Geert Deserranno, Minister Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Belgium in Lima for Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia; Piers Craven, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul of the United Kingdom; and Ignacio Garrido, Cultural Counselor of the Embassy of Spain.

After the opening of the meeting by the Rector, Francisco Salgado, the speakers addressed various issues, including the challenges and priorities of their countries in Latin America.

The German Ambassador said that his main concern is to continue with the peace process in Colombia. He also said that there is an urgent need for stability in the north of Ecuador.

"The events of the last four months make it evident. The German Agency for Cooperation is working with the European Union delegation on a project to contribute to the stabilization of this region, "said Von Marschall.

The representatives of the European Union affirmed that they would like to work with a more united Latin America, in a regional cooperation that works both in economic relations and in policies.

Garrido said that this union is important if you want the negotiation processes to be fairer because a state can not face globalization alone. Likewise, Chauvin confirmed that the unit is indispensable to obtain commercial power.

However, Deserranno argued that the same model of the European Union should not be repeated in Latin America: "You have to learn something from the European Union, but you must make your own way to work together. You can not copy a model from another continent. Something new, innovative, has to be done, specifically for Latin America. "

Van Steen shared the same perspective since - in his opinion - Europeans are different from Latin Americans in their history, culture and economy.

The representatives said they wanted to strengthen relations with Ecuador. In addition, in the commercial exchange, the Ambassador of the European Union said she was open to investment proposals. However, he explained that the private sector should be the one seeking opportunities. It is necessary to study the market and propose products that interest European investors.

"In our opinion. Ecuador is on the right track based on the social achievements of recent years. The challenge is to control the difficult situation of public finances and create conditions in which fresh capital can enter the country. Only with a balanced investment protection treaty, with an efficient bureaucracy, a predictable customs and fiscal system, skilled workers and fair competition conditions will German investors return to a significant interest in Ecuador, "concluded the German Ambassador.