Havana - The Caribbean community sets its main goals and common interests in peace, integration, tackling climate hange and its effects, and sustainable development.

That was demonstrated at the Seventh Summit of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and event that ended yesterday in this capital and that during three days hosted the discussion among countries in the region to design strategies and common objectives in order to overcome regional challenges.

In closing the meeting of the Heads of State and the Government agency, Cuban President Raúl Castro said that the discussions in the context of the conclave demonstrated the need and the ability to address the key issues of the Greater Caribbean.

This, he indicated, it is essential to continue the progress regarding integration and cooperation, since these values depend on the political will of governments and the common development priorities, endorsed in the documents and decisions adopted at the ACS Summit.

Among these documents, there is the Declaration of Havana, which ratifies the validity of the founding principles of the association as a body for consultation, coordination and cooperation to adopt common positions among the States, Countries and Territories of the Caribbean.

It also recognizes the challenges and threats in the region and reiterates the responsibility of nations to build just societies, while recalling the commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights for all, and the goal of eradicating hunger and poverty in all its forms and dimensions.

The statement also reaffirms the block's rejection of racism, forms of discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance of any kind in the Caribbean and worlwide. It also highlights the importance of addressing the lingering effects of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.

It also sets out joint positions on present-day political and economic issues.

For example, there is the regional rejection of the continuing economic blockade of Cuba by Washington, the illegal occupation of the Cuban territory in Guantanamo, and the external interference in the internal affairs of member countries, such as Venezuela.

In addition, the Action Plan of the integrationist mechanism for the next three years includes concrete steps of its members and partners in a variety of high-priority topics, with the common aim of promoting sustainable development.

Among those steps stands out the commitment to establish and consolidate the so-called Sustainable Tourism Zone of the Greater Caribbean, the defense of an increase in capacity in the transport and regional interconnection, and the direct confrontation with the issue of climate change and the mitigation of its effects.