Without mentioning the United States' superpower role, leaders from both sides of the Atlantic called for a strengthening of the United Nations and more international dialogue.

No one country "can confront alone all the problems and threats" facing the world, said European Commission president Romano Prodi, highlighting terrorism, organised crime, poverty and social exclusion.

"We need a multi-lateral system capable of supplying concrete solutions to world challenges," Prodi told the opening of the summit of EU, Latin American and Caribbean countries in the Mexican city of Guadalajara.

Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero, at his first international summit since his stunning election win on the back of opposition to Spain's role in the US coalition in Iraq, called for the meeting to concentrate on "fundamental themes" such as a stronger United Nations, respect for human rights and the fight against terrorism and organised crime.

Zapatero was applauded as he said that through the summit "more than one billion people are taking part in a unique and historic process aiming to establish a more just, responsible world, living in peace."

Prime Minister Bertie Ahern of Ireland, the current holder of the EU presidency, also took up the theme.

"What is clear," he said, "is that states cannot hope to deal alone with the many complex challenges facing the people of this small planet."

He added: "I hold the firm view that an effective multilateral system, supported by strong international institutions, and having the UN at its centre, is essential for the welfare of mankind."

Ahern said poverty, global warming and the spread of HIV/AIDS could only be tackled by nations working together. "And only by working together can terrorism and the conditions which can sometimes give rise to terrorism be addressed," he said.

Mexico's President Vicente Fox said Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean should have a stronger role in the United Nations.

The summit is the third of its kind but the first since the EU grew from 15 to 25 nations.

Multi-lateralism is to be a key theme at the summit, alongside trade and cooperation.

The EU is looking to increase trade with Latin America, with which the United States is seeking to forge a Free Trade Area of the Americas stretching from Canada to Chile.

Stumbling blocks on the trade front are significant, however, reflecting the current deadlock in the World Trade Organization over farm subsidies.

SPACE.WIRE