Vienna is staging a series of side events this week alongside an official EU-Latin America summit, ranging from cultural festivals to a mock legal proceeding targeting major corporations.
A parallel gathering called "Enlazando Alternativas" plans to put multinationals such as BP, Telefonica, and Benetton before a people's tribunal, with debates covering globalization, human rights, and regional integration. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Bolivian President Evo Morales, and figures including Nobel laureate Rigoberta Menchu and Aleida Guevara are expected to participate on Saturday.
Before the formal summit opens, several European leaders will play an indoor soccer match Thursday at the invitation of Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, with proceeds going to street children in Romania and Moldova. Participants include leaders from Türkiye, Croatia, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, and Slovenia, as well as European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.
Austria has mounted a broader public outreach effort, running video profiles of all 33 Latin American nations on Vienna metro screens. The Onda Latina cultural festival features performances by groups including the Buena Vista Social Club, and a Latino Ball is planned for Saturday evening.
About 1,500 police officers have been deployed to provide security for the roughly 60 heads of state and senior officials attending the summit.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in May 2006, in its own words.