LIMA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Arab and Latin American leaders concluded their summit here Tuesday, calling for peaceful mediation in the Middle East and greater bi-regional cooperation.
The participants agreed to reject the use of violence in resolving conflicts in the Arab world, and to support an Arab initiative for establishing a nuke-free zone in the Middle East, according to the Lima Declaration issued at the end of the Third Summit of South American and Arab Countries (ASPA).
Peruvian President Ollanta Humala, the host, said the participants also expressed support for Palestine's right to statehood, and condemned all forms of terrorism.
On economic issues, the nations agreed to promote sustainable development through the rational use of their natural resources, and to promote comprehensive South-South cooperation in trade, tourism and investment.
The president said the summit highlighted "the economic, political and cultural factors that unite countries in both regions," and that their common interests and values augured a positive future.
"We have shared expectations and hopes, as well as problems such as poverty," said Humala, adding that the meeting has shown that "distance is relative when leaders want to advance in a single direction."
The Lima summit has drawn delegates of 22 Arabian and 12 South American countries, including Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari and Secretary General of the Arab League Nabil el-Araby. The next ASPA summit will be held in Saudi Arabia in 2015.
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