EU: Europe must strengthen its dialogue with Latin America and Caribbean countries to increase the influence of both blocs as "world players", according to the Taoiseach.
Bertie Ahern said in Vienna they needed "to strengthen our biregional capacity for co-operation on global issues of common concern".
There was a need for a multilateral global system which could build consensus on major threats and challenges. "Given that we share so much in our history and culture, the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean are better placed to understand each other than many other regions, thus boosting our potential for joint action."
But he said that if the multilateral system was to work properly in the interests of all nations and peoples, "its institutions, including in particular the United Nations, must command the necessary respect.
"These institutions must therefore work, and be seen to work, in the interests of all.
"We live in a world that has become rapidly more globalised. We must view globalisation as a challenging opportunity to build on our prosperity and to advance our social development."