EU, Latin America discuss A/H1N1 flu

Video

Play Video6,507 A-H1N1 cases confirmed worldwide Play VideoWHO: 5,914 confirmed A/H1N1 cases worldwide Play VideoWHO: A/H1N1 virus could mutate

EU and Latin American countries have declared their solidarity with Mexico, at the 14th meeting between the senior officials of the two regions.

Foreign Ministers met in the Czech capital Prague on Wednesday to discuss ways to combat three major issues - the threat of the A/H1-N1 flu, the global economic crisis and climate change.

The ministers said they share international concern about the virus and called for the situation to be closely monitored.

Mexico's foreign relations secretary declared that her country was safe and returning to normal. She urged tourists and investors to return.

Patricia Espinosa, Mexican State Sec]y for External Relations, said, "Please, in Mexico we are waiting with open arms. The infrastructure in Mexico is not a disaster.

It's unlike other occasions, where the infrastructure was being destroyed and it was a dramatic emergency.

However, the country is functioning and welcoming tourists, investors and is continuing its march towards normality."

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner for External Relations, said, "First of all, we are showing our solidarity with Mexico. Second, we have to appreciate the way Mexico treated this issue immediately and efficiently. And we have to communicate correctly on how the things have been stabilized now and how we can move on towards normality."

The EU-Rio Group summit ended by issuing a joint statement pledging that countries from the two organizations will cooperate in the fight against the spread of the A/H1-N1 flu and to overcome its social and economic impact.