Lisbon Treaty benefits Latin America: Portuguese PM

LISBON, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Lisbon Treaty, once ratified and put into force, will benefit Latin American countries, Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates said Sunday at the inauguration of the annual Iberia-American summit.

The Lisbon Treaty will help strengthen the role of the European Union (EU), Socrates said, adding that a more powerful and flexible EU means "good news" to all Iberia-America countries.

The Portuguese prime minister said the treaty will help the EU play a better role in the world and develop a better relationship with other regions pursuing an integrated globe.

Portugal and Spain are playing important roles in promoting the relations between Europe and Africa as well as Latin America, he said.

The annual Ibero-American summit gathered leaders and officials of 22 Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking countries in Latin America and Europe.