Watson warns Morales against ideological posturing

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 15th May 2006

Graham WATSON, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, speaking after the address to the European Parliament of Juan Evo Morales Ayma, President of the Republic of Bolivia, at a formal sitting held today, said:

"I listened carefully to what President Evo Morales had to say to the House this afternoon. He clearly speaks from the heart and believes that he is acting in the best interest of his people. But I will point out to him this evening that it would be a mistake to follow the ideological path laid out by Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro", said Graham Watson. "I believe in the importance of foreign investment and trade as an economic model for the development of Bolivia", he added.

Graham Watson, who is due to meet up with the Bolivian President this evening, will express his sympathy towards the indigenous communities in Bolivia who wish to reclaim sovereignty of their natural resources just as they once did for their land. However, the ALDE President will also warn President Morales not to pander to populism or nationalism by discouraging foreign investments.

"With its strong historical and linguistic ties to Europe, Latin America remains a privileged partner for the European Union. The EU is indeed Latin America's first sponsor, its first trade partner -even before the United States- as well as its first humanitarian aid and development donor", Graham Watson concluded.