Latin America-Europe leaders make pledges

During a European tour this week, Correa said he would consider restoring ties only if Uribe halts "Colombia's verbal aggression."

The three feuding leaders met for the first time Friday since an uncomfortable summit in the Dominican Republic in March, when Uribe and Chavez embraced one another at the urging of Dominican President Leonel Fernandez, and Correa reluctantly shook Uribe's hand.

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon urged leaders to put their "personal interests aside" and continue efforts to free Ingrid Betancourt, a dual French-Colombian citizen and former Colombian presidential candidate kidnapped by the FARC in 2002.

Chavez and Correa have offered to negotiate the release of Betancourt and other hostages.

One personal feud that seemed to have cooled on Friday was between Chavez and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Chavez gave his German counterpart a kiss, apparently ending a verbal spat that had erupted last week.

Merkel had drawn Chavez's wrath by saying he did not speak for Latin America, and that his leftist polices would not solve the region's problems. He responded by accusing her party of sharing the ideals of Adolf Hitler.

"I have not come here to fight. It was a great pleasure to shake her hand," Chavez said Friday. "I told her: 'If I said something very harsh, forgive me.'"