Colombian President Gustavo Petro attends a joint declaration press conference during the fourth summit between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union (EU) in Santa Marta, Colombia, Nov. 9, 2025. The fourth CELAC-EU summit opened Sunday in Santa Marta, Colombia, where the two sides issued a joint declaration on energy, environment and energy transitions. (Photo by Andres Moreno/Xinhua)

SANTA MARTA, Colombia, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) — The fourth summit between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union (EU) opened Sunday in Santa Marta, Colombia, where the two sides issued a joint declaration on energy, environment and energy transitions.

The declaration proposed deepening cooperation in renewable energy, food security, technological innovation, cultural exchanges, and other fields.

It also reaffirms that both sides adhere to the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, especially the sovereign equality of states, respect for territorial integrity and political independence, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and peaceful settlement of disputes.

“We reiterate our opposition to the threat or use of force and stress the importance of prioritizing conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding as essential elements for lasting peace in both regions,” said the declaration.

The two-day event was co-chaired by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, whose country now holds the rotating presidency of the CELAC, and European Council President Antonio Costa.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and other heads of state or government also attended the summit.

In his opening speech, Petro called on all parties to adhere to dialogue and cooperation, uphold peace and justice, and jointly promote global democracy and sustainable development.

The two sides agreed to hold the fifth EU-CELAC Summit in 2027 in Brussels, Belgium. ■

Colombian President Gustavo Petro (2nd R), European Council President Antonio Costa (2nd L), Uruguay’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mario Lubetkin (1st L), and European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas attend a joint declaration press conference during the fourth summit between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union (EU) in Santa Marta, Colombia, Nov. 9, 2025. The fourth CELAC-EU summit opened Sunday in Santa Marta, Colombia, where the two sides issued a joint declaration on energy, environment and energy transitions. (Photo by Andres Moreno/Xinhua)

European Council President Antonio Costa attends a joint declaration press conference during the fourth summit between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union (EU) in Santa Marta, Colombia, Nov. 9, 2025. The fourth CELAC-EU summit opened Sunday in Santa Marta, Colombia, where the two sides issued a joint declaration on energy, environment and energy transitions. (Photo by Andres Moreno/Xinhua)

Colombian President Gustavo Petro attends a joint declaration press conference during the fourth summit between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union (EU) in Santa Marta, Colombia, Nov. 9, 2025. The fourth CELAC-EU summit opened Sunday in Santa Marta, Colombia, where the two sides issued a joint declaration on energy, environment and energy transitions. (Photo by Andres Moreno/Xinhua)