Spain to develop EU relationship with South America during EU presidency

Spain will push for increased relations between the European Union (EU) and Latin America during Madrid's rotating EU presidency in the first half of 2010, it was reported on Friday.

Spain will seek to develop closer associations between the EU and Central America, boost trade agreements between the EU, Colombia and Peru and resume talks between the EU and the Common Market the South American counties, said Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. He went on to say how the Spanish government will do its best to boost EU-Latin America ties, though he acknowledged that it will be a difficult job to do.

The Prime Minister vowed to help implement the recently achieved agreement between the EU and Latin America on banana import taxes, which has brought an end to a 15-year-long dispute.

Spain will also review EU's common position on Cuba, said Zapatero. The EU will move forward the dialogue and cooperation with Cuba if the Caribbean country makes progress in democracy and the respect of human rights.

Spain, as EU presidency, is hosting a summit between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean in Madrid on May 18 and 19.