Bolivian President Evo Morales took part in a debate with the Foreign Affairs Committee. MEPs praised his personal commitment and showed understanding for his social reform plans, though there were questions about the legality of the nationalisations being pushed through by the former indigenous activist and leader of coca-leaf growing farmers - and about his close relations with Fidel Castro.
In a formal sitting in the full Parliament shortly before, President Morales told MEPs of his ambitions to tackle the engrained poverty in his country. He also stressed that his nationalisation of natural resources was essential to achieving these goals, but was not a matter on expropriation – he wanted to work in partnership with other countries and their firms.