14/11/2011
http://assets.fundacionfaes.org/Home+FAES/2011/10/ACTUALIZACION_AGENDA_D2.jpg Jos? Mar?a Aznar: I have a friend who says countries, in the end, are divided in two: those that decide, and those that accept others' decisions. One of the basic elements for the future of Latin America is precisely to start being there, to make ourselves a gap amongst those that decide
We must avoid some problems like, for instance, the fragmentation of the Latin American Community. Fragmentation will inescapably lead to ineffectiveness and irrelevance, and that would be negative, that would be losing an opportunity
There are some causes for much concern, such as corruption issues. Strengthening the Rule of Law and legal security is absolutely essential. It is extremely worrying that criminality is advancing and expanding itself, and this generates insecurity in our societies. I am convinced that there's a direct relationship between institutional deficit and the expanding of criminality. Where institutions are weak, they are substituted by criminal organisations. And therefore, strengthening institutions is the best investment that can be made for the medium term in many countries
We have before us an opportunity which we haven't had for a long time. It will belong to the responsibility of current Latin American leaders to seize it or not
We are going through a time for opportunity and a time for hope. Let's make those who think that we are forever doomed to fail in our times of hope and not seize our chance, be, for once, mistaken