The European People’s Party (EPP), as the strongest party in Europe and a fundamental pillar of the European project, together with heads of state, former presidents, political leaders and representatives of like-minded democratic forces from Ibero-America, gathered in Madrid under the auspices of the EPP, CONSIDERING that Europe and Ibero-America share the same civilisational foundation rooted in Christian values, human dignity, the rule of law and representative democracy; and that the defense of these values constitutes a shared historical responsibility in the face of a profoundly transforming international order; CONSIDERING Europe’s role in promoting its values beyond its borders and engaging with partners in the Ibero-American space; I. EUROPEAN COMMITMENT TO GLOBAL DEMOCRACY WE REAFFIRM that the EPP contributes, from Europe, to the ongoing commitment to freedom, human rights and representative democracy. Europe is not a passive observer of global challenges: it is a central and committed actor in defending rules-based international order, human dignity, and the sovereignty of peoples. WE HIGHLIGHT that the values underpinning the European project—freedom, equality before the law, separation of powers, political pluralism and the open economy—are not exclusively European, but universal; and that Europe has the responsibility to defend them also within its historical and cultural sphere of influence, which fully includes Ibero America. WE NOTE that the advance of authoritarianism, the erosion of democratic systems, the rise of illiberal populism and the mass manipulation of information represent systemic threats that no democracy can confront alone. Europe, and particularly the EPP, contributes to discussions on these global challenges. II. IBERO-AMERICA: EUROPE’S STRATEGIC PARTNER IN DEFENDING FREEDOM WE RECOGNISE that Ibero-America is a fundamental part of the West and one of its broadest, most dynamic and universal expressions and that to build a free and fair international order, cooperation with the democratic forces of the region is encouraged. WE UPHOLD that Europe, through its institutions and the EPP political family, supports the promotion of democratic principles, the rule of law and those who defend freedom against authoritarianism, with all the political, diplomatic and solidarity support that the current historical moment requires. WE EMPHASISE that this cooperation is based on shared values, deep historical and cultural ties, and a common vision of liberal democracy as the only system capable of guaranteeing peace, prosperity and progress for people. III. IN THE FACE OF DICTATORSHIPS: A CLEAR AND UNEQUIVOCAL EUROPEAN POSITION WE EXPRESS serious concerns regarding democratic standards in Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua incompatible with democratic principles and with the values that underpin both the European project and our international political community. The European Union, guided by the political will of the EPP, plays an important role in the face of the systematic repression of fundamental rights.  WE HIGHLIGHT the need for free and transparent elections to be held in Venezuela as soon as possible, in line with international standards; free and fair electoral processes with full political participation and guarantees; and the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, with full restoration of their rights. WE REAFFIRM, from Europe, that the cause of freedom in Caracas, Havana and Managua belongs to the entire international democratic community. IV. STRONGER ECONOMIC TIES FOR STRONGER PARTNERSHIP WE ADVOCATE for free and fair trade and stronger economic cooperation between Europe and Ibero-America. WE SUPPORT the EU’s agreements with our Ibero-American partners, including the EU México agreement, the EU-Mercosur agreement, the EU-Chile agreement, the Association Agreement with Central America and the Multiparty Trade Agreement with the Andean Community. These agreements create unique opportunities for businesses and citizens on both sides of the Atlantic. At the same time, all agreements must safeguard European interests and include appropriate measures to protect sensitive sectors, including agriculture, through effective mechanisms such as the EU-Mercosur Safeguard Regulation. WE EXPRESS serious concerns regarding the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba in consideration of the regime’s flagrant breach of the Agreement’s clause on human rights. V. TOWARDS A RENEWED DIALOGUE FOR DEMOCRATIC COOPERATION WE STATE that this meeting, convened and led by the European People’s Party, represents a forum for dialogue and exchange of views in the service of freedom, representative democracy, the open economy and the rule of law, whose conclusions can contribute to the development of effective foreign policy. WE CONCLUDE with the conviction that a strong Europe, committed to its values and united with the democratic forces of Ibero-America, represents the best response to populism, authoritarianism and those who seek to undermine the liberal international order. This is the responsibility of our generation. We underlined the importance of continued engagement.   Adopted in Madrid, Spain, 16 July 2026