Welcoming the approval of this programme by the Commission, the Member of the Commission with special responsibility for external relations, Chris Patten, stated: "This ambitious programme is a visible expression of the strengthening of the bi-regional partnership, as initiated at the European Union/Latin America Summit in Rio in 1999, which was followed by the Madrid Summit in May 2002.
Saluant l'approbation de ce programme par la Commission, le Commissaire des Relations extérieures, Chris Patten, a déclaré: « Ce programme ambitieux est une expression concrète du renforcement du partenariat bi-régional, tel qu'initié au Sommet Union Européenne/Amérique latine de Rio en 1999, à la veille du Sommet de Madrid en mai 2002.