Mexico, Jul 29 (Prensa Latina) The 21st Meeting of the Sao Paulo Forum will be held as of today in the Mexican capital and will run until August 1, with the participation of 23 countries.
During a press conference held yesterday, Carlos Navarrete, national president of the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), stated that Mexico City is hosting this event for fourth time, where progressive parties from Latin America and the Caribbean are meeting. He stressed that "parties from 23 countries are attending this meeting" and later noted that there are 12 nations from Latin America and the Caribbean led by leftist governments that won in elections and revolutionary processes.

"We will be, as we say in Mexico, as a long tablecloth and this means we are on party" for the holding of this meeting.

He stressed that the PRD and the Labor Party (PT), as hosts, give pleasure to welcome the participants.

Navarrete said the issue of poverty will be discussed during the Forum, and pointed out that European delegations from Spain and Italy, coming as guests, will attend this forum.

On the other hand, Monica Valente, a representative of the Workers Party of Brazil and executive secretary of the Sao Paulo Forum, said this event is very special for celebrating 25 years, which confirms that neoliberalism is not the only theory of government, in addition of making our people suffer.

She also referred to events such as the restoration of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba "which was always a historical struggle of the Sao Paulo Forum" and the recent opening of embassies in Havana and Washington.

She included among the events the presence of Cuba at the 7th Summit of the Americas, held this year in Panama, as well as the anniversary of the foundation of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur).