SANTIAGO (Xinhua) -- Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said Friday that Spain will grant 1.4 billion U.S. dollars to aid Latin America's educational, health and other projects in 2008.

""I can guarantee you that in 2008 we will surpass one billion euros (1.4 billion dollars) in aid to Latin America,"" Zapatero said here at the 17th Ibero American Summit.
So far, in 2007, Spain offered almost 900 million euros (1.3 billion U.S. dollars) in aid to Latin America for the same purpose, Zapatero said.
Zapatero also pledged 1.5 billion dollars for establishing a water fund, saying 58 million people lack access to drinking water in Latin America.
The 17th Ibero American Summit started Thursday and will conclude on Saturday with a final declaration.
The summit has gathered heads of state and representatives from Spain, Portugal, Andorra and 19 Latin American countries to discuss regional social issues.