Two months into its pro-tempore presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Ecuador hosted a meeting of the regional body's foreign ministers to strengthen ties, especially in light of the recent US threats against Venezuela and the drop in oil prices. Participants in the meeting discussed CELAC's 2015-2020 strategies. Goals include reducing poverty, boosting education and scientific investigation, combating climate change and protecting the environment, and increasing investment in infrastructure. Over the next five years CELAC hopes to strengthen relations with the European Union, Russia, China, and India. Liz Scherffius reports from Quito. teleSUR