EN    EN EN 
 
EN    EN  COMMISSION OF THE E UROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 30.09.2009 
SEC(2009) 1227 final 
COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 
Accompanying Document to the   
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council  
  
The European Union and Latin America : Global Players in Partnership 
 
Ten Years of Strategic Partnership EU-Latin America 
  
{COM(2009) 495} 
 
EN 2   EN Ten years after the first Summit between the Heads of State and Governments of Latin 
America and the Caribbean (LAC) and the European Union (EU), which set a new political and cooperation agenda, relations between th e two regions have been considerably 
strengthened in many fields. This document give s a brief overview of the achievements in the 
main fields of cooperation and relations  with Latin American partners. 
1. GENERAL 
Over the past decade, and with the support and firm commitment from the Commission, 
relations between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean have been considerably 
strengthened. Ever since the first Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1999, the two regions have 
cooperated on a joint agenda in a number of bi-regional, bilate ral, multilateral and sector-
specific fora on a wide range of issues.  
In 2005, the Commissi on Communication ‘ A stronger partnership between the European 
Union and Latin America’
1 built on the achievements thus far and helped revitalise the bi-
regional relationship. The EU’s strategic objectives on Latin Am erica that have guided action 
over the last decade are to: 
• strengthen political dialogue  at regional, sub-regional (MERCOSUR, Andean 
Community, Central America) and bilateral levels, culminating in a Summit every 
two years where commitments are taken in key areas of the Partnership;  
• pursue  regional integration  engaging, where possible, in  negotiations to conclude 
Association Agreements (AA) with sub-re gions, and strengthen bilateral relations. 
Bilateral relations  are now stronger thanks to, in  particular, the successful 
implementation of the existing Associati on Agreements (with Chile and Mexico) 
and the establishment of Stra tegic Partnerships with Br azil and with Mexico.The 
establishment of a high-lev el political dialogue with Argentina is underway. Te 
Commission is convinced that the EU s hould explore with other countries the 
possibilities to enrich the current bilateral relations 
• promote social cohesion  — or the fight against povert y, inequality and exclusion 
— which is a priority for development cooperation.  
These strategic objectives have not changed after ten years. Nevertheless, the approach to 
reaching them needs to be somewhat refined in order to respond to the changing global context. This is the ai m of the new Communication ‘The European Union and Latin America: 
Global Players in Partnership ’ (2009)
2. 
2. BI-REGIONAL  POLITICAL  DIALOGUE 
The EU-LAC Summit process is particularly  important in implementing the Strategic 
Partnership. It facilitates politic al dialogue at the highest level,  underscores the special nature 
of the relationship and fuel s the bi-regional agenda.  
                                                 
1 COM (2005) 636 of 08.12.2005. 
2 COM (2009) xx of xx.xx.2009.  
 
EN 3   EN Since the first meeting in Rio in 1999, which set up the Strategic Partnership between the 
regions and launched the EU-MERCOSUR negotia tions, four more EU-LAC Summits have 
taken place, each defining policy orientations for the near future.  
The Madrid Summit in 2002 launched the ALBAN3 and @LIS4 programme and the EU-LAC 
Common Higher Education (and Knowledge) Area  concept. The Guadalajara Summit in 2004 
launched the EUROsociAL5 Programme and invited Ministers concerned to design actions in 
the higher education field to further impleme nt the EU-LAC Common Higher Education (and 
Knowledge) Area. This was implemented at EU level through the Alfa programme and 
specific Erasmus Mundus geographi cal lots for Latin America.  
The Summit in Vienna in 2006 was important as it set up the EuroLat6 and launched 
negotiations on an Association Agreement with Central Americ a and the Andean Community. 
The most recent EU-LAC Summit in Lima in 2008 was a chance to coordinate positions on 
strategic topics that are high on the bi-regional and internationa l agenda, such as poverty and 
climate change. It also intr oduced the initiative for the EU-LAC Foundation and launched 
EUrocLIMA.7 
The trend in coordinating positions on strategic topi cs is also noticeable at other high-level bi-
regional meetings, such as the EU-Rio Group Mi nisterial Meetings th at take place every 
second year, alternating with the EU-LAC Summits. As such, and particularly after Cuba 
joined in November 2008 making its members iden tical to the EU-LAC process, it is perfectly 
placed to share the agenda of the Summit proces s, allowing for greater advantage to be taken 
of the Strategic Partnership. The most recent meeting, which took place in Prague in May 
2009, focused on the current economic and financ ial crisis, renewable energy and energy 
security and climate change. 
The deepening of cooperation between Latin America and the Caribbean is an important 
component of the EU-LAC Strategic Partnershi p. Various summit declarat ions have called for 
the promotion of the consolid ation of relations between th e EU and the wider Caribbean. 
Different treaties and agreements are alrea dy linking both sub-regions, such as the Amazon 
Treaty or the pending FTA between CARI COM and Costa Rica. Cooperation among all 
countries bordering the Caribbean Sea also ta kes place through the Asso ciation of Caribbean 
States (ACS) in areas such as natural disaster preparedness, tourism, tr ansport and sustainable 
development. As a sign of commitment to suppo rting cooperation in the wider Caribbean, the 
Commission became an observer to the ACS in spring 2009.  
                                                 
3 The ALBAN Programme consists of ‘high level scholarships’ to citizens of 18 Latin American 
countries. Between 2003 and 2007, 3319 scholarships were awarded for training in the institutions of 
the EU Member States. The new cooperation programme on scholarships is now under preparation 
within the framework of Erasmus Mundus.  
4 The recently renewed @LIS programme – Alliance fo r the Information Society – is contributing to the 
bi-regional cooperation to reduce the digital divide, to extend the benefits of the Information Society to 
all citizens and to contribute to the social cohesion in Latin America.  
5 The EUROsociAL contributes to social cohesion of the Latin American countries by promoting reforms 
and improved public policies on education, health, administration of justice, taxation and employment. 
6 Euro-Latin American Parliament ary Assembly (EuroLat) was created in 2006. It brings together 
parliamentarians from the two regions — 75 members of the EP and 75 members of Latin American 
national parliaments. 
7 EUrocLIMA is a joint EU-LAC environmental program me in the framework of the ongoing efforts to 
foster bi-regional environmental cooperation with a sp ecial focus on climate change. Its objectives are: 
a) knowledge-sharing through a structured and regular dialogue, b) action identification and 
coordination and c) stock-taking exercises. 
 
EN 4   EN 3. SUB-REGIONAL  RELATIONS 
The EU and the six Central American (CA)  countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama) enjoy a comp rehensive relationship that encompasses 
political dialogue, a broad cooperation fram ework, both in scope and amounts, and a 
favourable trade regime (GSP+)8.  
The San José Dialogue, launched in Costa Ri ca in 1984, has shaped EU-CA relations. Since 
then, the EU has made a significant contribution to peace and democratisation processes, and 
to socio-economic development in CA. It can clai m an important historical success in that it 
played a key role in bringing peace and re-establishing democracy in the region in the early 1990s. A Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agr eement was concluded w ith the sub-region 
in 2003. 
At the Vienna Summit in May 2006, it wa s decided to launch negotiations on a 
comprehensive Association Agreement between the EU and CA that would include three 
pillars: political dialogue, cooperation and tr ade. On that occasion, CA reaffirmed its 
commitment to deepening region al integration, which the EU has supported for more than 
twenty years. Association Agreement negotia tions were launched in June 2007. Since then, 
seven rounds of negotiations have taken place,  and considerable pr ogress has been made, 
nearing conclusion of the Agreement. To da te, Panama remained an observer in the 
negotiations. Following the recent political cris is in Honduras resulting in the ousting of 
President Zelaya, negotiations have been postponed. It is hoped, however, to resume 
negotiations once the situation has normalised.  
Following the EU-LAC Summit in Madrid (20 02), negotiations on a Political Dialogue and 
Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the Andean Community (CAN) were launched 
and concluded in the course of 2003. In Guadal ajara (2004), Heads of State and Government 
decided to launch a joint assessment exercise on  regional integration to  prepare for regional 
negotiations on a comprehensive Association Ag reement containing three pillars: political 
dialogue, cooperation and trade.  After the assessment exer cise ended in July 2006, 
negotiations were launched in  June 2007. After three rounds, ne gotiations stalled as the CAN 
member countries could not agre e on common trade positions.  
Whilst concluding an Association Agreement w ith the entire region remains a long-term 
objective, the Commission has proposed a nd the Council endorsed a new double-track 
negotiating approach in January 2009. This approach updates the EU-CAN Political Dialogue 
and Cooperation Agreement of 2003 and offers a prospect of concluding a Trade Agreement 
with those Andean Community countries th at are willing to embark upon ambitious, 
comprehensive and WTO-compatible negotiations.  
In recent years, MERCOSUR has made rather limited progress on the core aspects of its 
integration project, i.e. completing a cust oms union and common market. Negotiations on a 
three-pillar Association Agreement (political  dialogue, cooperation, free trade area) were 
launched in 2000, but put on hold in 2004 due to di sagreements on the trade chapter. Since 
then, political dialogue and high-level meetings have taken place regularly, as well as high-
level technical meetings on trade, during whic h both parties confirmed their commitment to 
                                                
 
8 The revised EU’s Generalised System of Preferences. 
 
EN 5   EN relaunching negotiations when conditions allow. Meanwhile, sc ientific cooperation involving 
MERCOSUR countries accounts for more than  50% of that with the whole region. 
4. BILATERAL  RELATIONS 
Signing Association and/or Strate gic Partnership agreements with Brazil, Chile and Mexico 
has deepened relations with these countries. 
Brazil has emerged as a regional and even global player. The last decade has witnessed 
strong economic performance, sound management of public finances, political stability and 
fewer inequalities (although much remains to be  done). The EU has recognised the new role 
played by Brazil in the region and in the wo rld and has responded by launching a Strategic 
Partnership with Brazil in 2007. A Joint Ac tion Plan was adopted in December 2008 to 
implement the Strategic Partnership. It prom otes, among other things, the reinforcement of 
sectoral policy dialogues in  a number of priority areas including science and technology, 
education and culture (the two latter were launched in spring 2009). The Strategic Partnership 
complements the bi-regional relationship be tween the EU and MERCOSUR and gives a fresh 
impulse to the already strong and comprehensive relations.  
The 2002 EU- Chile  Association Agreement was the fruit of an existing excellent bilateral 
relationship, which continues to develop positively. EU-Chile trad e has tripled as a result of 
this Agreement, and the EU is now Chile’s ma in trade partner and by far the main foreign 
investor. Political dialogue meetings have ta ken place regularly since 2003, and Chile and the 
EU often support each other’s positions in th e LAC group and at multilateral fora. This 
important partnership will gain political visibility through the Association for Development 
and Innovation , proposed by President Bachelet in 2008. 
Relations with  Mexico  are governed by the Economic Part nership, Political Coordination and 
Cooperation Agreement, which entered into force in 2000. In 2008, the EU decided to grant Mexico the status of Strategic Partner, which meant joint work has commenced to prepare an 
executive plan with concrete actions to impl ement the new Partnership. Trade flows between 
the EU and Mexico have increased significantly since the Agreement entered into force. The 
EU is a major investor in Mexico, second only to the US. The main established cooperation 
sectors in the period 2007-2013 are soci al cohesion, sustainable economy and 
competitiveness, education and culture. These three sectors are linked to various crosscutting issues to mainstream human rights, gender issu es and environmental ch allenges. The EU and 
Mexico have also established sectoral polic y dialogue on social cohesion, environment, 
science and technology and recently education and culture. A dialogue on Human Rights is 
scheduled to be launched before the end 2009. 
The EU and Argentina  share a broad base of common va lues and interests. Social and 
cultural links are strong and ec onomic relations are substantive.  Bilateral relations are good 
and based on the EC-Argentina Framework Agreem ent for Trade and Economic 
Cooperation , signed in 1990. Over the past  year, both Parties have ma de significant efforts to 
pursue a further qualitative improvement in the relationship. In N ovember 2008, the EC-
Argentina Joint Committee decided to develop a comprehensive Joint Work Programme and to expand the agenda of sector al dialogue and cooperation to new areas of mutual interest. In 
December 2008, the EU and Argentina signed a Joint Declaration to establish a formal 
dialogue on Human Rights. Discus sions have advanced on the terms of a Joint Declaration 
 
EN 6   EN with the objective of improving the structure of the relationship in different areas, also 
through the establishment of regular high-level political consultations.  
Bilateral scientific and technological cooperation  agreements with Argentina, Brazil, Chile 
and Mexico are another pillar through which th e respective research communities come closer 
together and institutional and policy links ge t progressively stronger with positive secondary 
effects for cooperation in other areas and in id entifying solutions to social problems, old and 
new. The four countries account for almost 80% of the 367 Latin American teams that 
participated in the Seventh Research Fram ework Programme (2007-2013)  in the first two 
years. 
5. ACHIEVEMENTS  IN THE  FIELD  OF DEVELOPMENT  COOPERATION 
Ten years after the first EU-LAC Summit that  set a new political and cooperation agenda 
between both regions, EU external assistance  to Latin America has been continuously 
adjusted in terms of content and form to achie ve the results and meet the objectives set.  
The key objective of EU development coopera tion (through the European Commission and 
EU Member States) in Latin America has been  to contribute to pove rty reduction by pursuing 
the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Alt hough major progress has been made, such as 
increasing primary education coverage from 87 to 97 percent between 1990 and 2005, cutting 
infant mortality from an average of 54 deaths per 1  000 live births in 1991 to 31 in 2005, 
social and income inequality remains a major challenge.  
Since 1999, the European Commission has financed  more than 450 projects and programmes 
accounting for more than €3 billion. Funds to Latin America have rise n steadily, contributing 
to the promotion of social cohesion, good gove rnance, institutional cap acity building, respect 
of human rights, the rule of law, sustainable development,  the creation of an EU-LAC 
Common Higher Education Area a nd fostering regional integr ation processes that have 
become crucial in a globalised economy. 
The Commission has financed very successful na tional programmes in a wi de range of fields. 
The ‘Peace Laboratory’ in Colo mbia which has, since it started in 2002, significantly 
contributed to citizens’ coexistence by defendi ng the basic human rights of all inhabitants and 
promoting sustainable human development, has shown effective and viable ways to overcome 
conflict. In Nicaragua, the Commission has supported government efforts to manage 
education policies and implement its National E ducation Plan. In Bolivia and Honduras, it has 
financed several programmes in the field of natural resources management, water sanitation 
and river basin management. 
At regional level, the Commissi on has also contributed  to three regional integration processes 
in Central America, the Andean Community  and MERCOSUR supporting institutionalisation 
and specific cross-border policies. The Comm ission has also designed several programmes 
covering the entire region. Programmes such as EUROsociAL have boosted the institutional 
capacity of public administrations in Latin Am erica through awareness raising and experience 
sharing between EU and Latin American administ rations in the field of education, justice, 
taxation, health and employment. ALFA is anothe r programme that has yielded great results. 
Over ten years, 225 projects benefited from gr ants to develop institutional cooperation and 
scientific and technical training in higher education institutions in the EU and Latin America.  
 
EN 7   EN The Erasmus Mundus programme (including its specific regional and country lots) also 
successfully promoted cooperation and mobility  between Latin American and European 
higher education institutions (with around 3100 m obilities since 2004). Under its "promotion" 
action, it further supported sp ecific projects aiming at im plementing the EU-LAC Common 
Higher Education Area. To bette r respond to the opportunities and challenges brought about 
by increased mobility in higher e ducation, policy dialogue has been strengthened with Mexico 
and Brazil. The Commission has signed Joint Decl arations with both countries and welcomed 
their participation in the last  Bologna Policy Forum in Louvain La Neuve (29 April 2009).9 
Over the past ten years, the Commission has also improved coordination with other donors in 
delivering and managing external aid programmes in Latin America through different sectoral 
round tables and information exchange mechan isms. Aid delivery methods have also been 
adapted, and budget support has become an esse ntial method to promote sound public finance 
management and ensure greater ownership by national governments. Ecuador is an example 
of the success and suitability of  budget support. Ecuador made efforts to create the conditions 
needed to be eligible for budget support and has been committed to achieving the 
development objectives. Delivery of aid th rough budget support has proved effective in 
achieving cooperation results and in increas ing government ownership, contributing to 
institutional strengthening and capacity bu ilding and promoting mutual accountability.  
In line with the Accra Agenda for Action, im proved donor coordination and rationalisation of 
the practices is needed for a greater impact on the region. A number of initiatives towards a 
common donor' agenda in Latin America, like the C onference on Donor Coordination in Latin 
America organised by the Commission in Decem ber 2008, have already been taken. Further 
initiatives could be explored, such as peri odical donor meetings to share information on 
ongoing and future actions and evaluate progress made in the field of coordination; creation 
of a network of EU national and local donor offici als to participate in t echnical cooperation in 
selected sectors; identification of a pilot count ry for an in-depth donor coordination exercise.  
6. HUMANITARIAN  ASSISTANCE 
Alongside development cooperation, the Co mmission has also provided emergency 
humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerabl e populations affected by natural disasters or 
conflict. For instance, in 2007, humanitarian assistance was provided following the 
earthquake in Peru and hurricane Felix in Nicar agua, and, in 2008, in response to the floods in 
Bolivia and Ecuador, Honduras and Guatemala, cold waves in Peru and Bolivia and drought 
in Paraguay and Honduras. In addition, in November 2008 the Commission adopted as a pilot exercise, two funding instruments to respond to small-scale disasters and epidemics in the 
region. Furthermore, the Commission continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the 
victims of Colombia’s prolong ed internal conflict, coveri ng emergency humanitarian and 
protection needs both inside Colombia and in  the neighbouring countr ies. Since 1993, over 
€120 million have been allocated to respond to this humanitarian crisis.  
With a view to limiting the humanitarian imp act of recurrent natural disasters, the 
Commission’s disaster prepare dness programme (DIPECHO) con tinues to be implemented. 
Applying primarily a Community-based appr oach, DIPECHO aims at improving the 
                                                
 
9 A Joint Statement in view of the next Bologna Forum to be held in Vienna in March 2010 is available  
at: http://ec.europa.eu/education/news/news1357_en.htm). 
 
EN 8   EN capacities of communities at risk to enable them to be better prepared for natural disasters. 
DIPECHO is implemented through Action Plans in South and Central America and reaches 
out to isolated and vulnerable communities. Under the Sixth DIPECHO Action Plans a total 
of 49 projects are being implemented  in Central and South America. 
7. MAIN  POLICY  PRIORITIES  OF THE  PARTNERSHIP 
i. Promoting regional integration 
Regional integration in Europe has contri buted to peace, stability and significant 
economicgrowth. Convinced that this approach  can also contribute to achieving these 
objectives in other regions, the EU has provide d continuous support to various sub-regional 
integration processes for which there is decisi ve commitment in the countries concerned. In 
Latin America, the countries of MERCOSUR, Central America and the Andean Community 
have made remarkable progress in political and economic integration. The Caricom member 
countries have achieved significan t integration in the context of the Caricom Single Market 
and Economy (CSME) and in building a regi onal market, in particular under the new 
Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).   
ii. Promoting social cohesion 
Promoting social cohesion is a key policy objec tive of the Strategic Pa rtnership. Since the 
issue was launched at the Guadalajara Summit,  it has acquired considerable importance and 
prominence. Today, social cohesion is at the to p of the political agenda of practically all 
countries in the region. In the context of the crisis, the mutual  benefits of bi-regional dialogue 
on issues such as developing skills to meet  labour market needs, youth employment and 
extending social protection are quite evident.  The post-2010 Lisbon Strategy for Growth and 
Jobs is expected to enhance the importance of  the external dimension of employment and 
social policy.  
Following the EU-LAC Vienna Summit in 2006, the first EU-L AC Forum on Social Cohesion 
in 2007 launched a policy debate on key empl oyment and social policy challenges.  
A major proportion of funds for Commission cooperation with Lati n America has been 
allocated to social cohesion. Dialogue and cooperation between government authorities, 
international institutions and civil society has also intensified under the EUROsociAL and 
URB-AL10 programmes. The ALFA and Erasmus Mundus programmes have triggered 
cooperation and exchanges in higher edu cation. The Commission has begun constructive 
cooperation with organisations such as the IDB11, UNDP12, ECLAC13, the World Bank and 
                                                 
10 URB-AL aims at developing networks of decentra lised cooperation between local authorities on topics 
and problems of urban local development such as dr ugs, environment, citizen participation, poverty 
alleviation, transport, safety, town planning, economic development, the information society or 
democracy. 
11 The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) su pports the process of economic and social 
development in Latin America and the Caribbean, and is the main source of multilateral financing in the 
region.  
12 The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, an 
organisation advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources. 
UNDP’s network links an d coordinates global and national efforts to reach the Millennium 
Development Goals. 
 
EN 9   EN the IMF, which have had a major input in designing and operating international institutions 
and development plans in the region, notably by helping to converge vi ews and approaches on 
social cohesion.  
A strong commitment to trade a nd sustainable development, incl uding labour standards, in the 
ongoing FTA negotiations and in th e context of trade incentives  such as GSP+ is supporting 
the promotion of decent work. 
Community aid has reached beneficiaries in rural, urban and pre-urban areas of Latin 
America. The increasing support to sector programs has allowed for more frequent and 
regular, as well as deep er policy dialogues between LAC part ners and the EU. In Ecuador, for 
instance, the EC contributes to social in vestment by improving the marginalised and 
disadvantaged communities’ access to educat ion through the support to the Decennial 
Education Plan (PAPDE). Important improveme nts in achieving universal basic education 
through the elimination of obstacles to acce ss, the selection of 12.000 new teachers and a 
national alphabetisation campa ign have been registered. 
Bi-regional dialogues on fiscal policy have been launched, which should lead to better 
redistribution of income and wealth. Since 2008, two high level EU-LAC Fora on Fiscal 
Policies have been organised. These gave partic ipants the opportunity to share experience and 
demonstrated the concrete impact of Commissi on cooperation in this area. For example, with 
Commission support, Uruguay reform ed its tax system in 2007, generating increased revenue 
and leading to a substantial incr ease in social expenditure.  
iii. Reinforcing Human Rights and Democracy Building 
The EU closely monitors the s ituation on human rights and securi ty in Latin America and the 
Caribbean and attaches great importance to the process of  continuous democracy building and 
peaceful democratic transition in the region. The EU holds regular discussions on human 
rights with countries in the region, both bi-l aterally, bi-regionally and multi-laterally. For 
example, in 2009 the EU launched a bilatera l Human Rights Dialogue with Colombia, 
establishing a channel for a more regular and systematic exchange of information and experience. In December 2008, a similar Dialogue  mechanism was launched with Argentina, 
boosting bilateral relations. Discussions with ma ny other countries in the region are based on 
the human rights clauses in the ag reements and form part of poli tical dialogue meetings at all 
levels.  
Both regions have been strong proponents of  building up a comprehensive body of global 
standards, and are the leading force behind a number of the more recent human rights 
instruments (e.g. Optional Protocol to the C onvention against Torture, Convention on the 
Rights of Peoples with Disabi lities, Convention for the Prot ection of All Persons from 
Enforced Disappearance, Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples). For over a 
decade, the two regions have jointly run the annual  resolution on the Rights of the Child at the 
UN General Assembly. Moreover, Latin Ameri ca spearheaded work to support a resolution 
on a moratorium on the use of death penalty, proposed by the EU. 
                                                                                                                                                        
 
13 The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is one of the five regional 
commissions of the United Nations. It focuses on th e economic development of the region, with the 
promotion of the region’s social development as one of its primary objectives. 
 
EN 10   EN The EU financially supports projects and programmes aiming at protecting and promoting 
human rights, including the rights of indigenous peoples, democratisation and non-
discrimination through the European Instrume nt for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) 
and the Instrument for Stability. The EU has supported the Offices of the High Commissioner 
for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Latin America th rough targeted projects, and more recently, 
by funding its activities. Over the past decade, the European  Initiative on Democracy and 
Human Rights has contributed significantly to establishing the offices of the OHCHR in Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico. 
iv. EU Election Observation Missions 
The EU has supported the development of import ant electoral and constitutional processes in 
Latin America by deploying EU Election Observation Missions (EOMs). In Ecuador , for 
example, the EU has deployed EOMs during th ree consecutive elections (2007 constituent 
assembly elections, 2008 constitutional referend um and the 2009 general elections). The EU 
EOM reports and recommendations have influe nced electoral reform in the countries 
concerned in a positive way (e.g. changing the vote ta bulation system, separating 
administrative and judicial electoral tasks) . Likewise, an EU EOM was deployed in 2006 in  
Peru  to observe the pres idential elections. In  Venezuela , the Commission deployed an EOM 
in December 2005 parliamentary elections, and the Presidential elections in December 2006. 
There has been progress in the electoral pro cess and some of the EOM’s recommendations 
were followed. The EU has deployed several EOMs in  Bolivia to accompany the reform 
process of the last years. An EU EOM was de ployed in 2006 to observe the elections to the 
Constitutional Assembly and the referendum on regional autonomy. In 2008, the EU was one 
of the international observers to the nati onal dialogue between the government and the 
opposition. This resulted in the adoption of a revised draft Constitution approved by 
referendum in 2009. As far as Guatemala  is concerned, the EU deployed EOMs for the 
presidential, legislative and provincial elections in 2007. In Nicaragua , the EU ensured an 
EOM during the presidential and legislative elec tions in 2006 and an experts’ mission at the 
local elections in January 2008. In El Salvador , the EU observed municipal and 
parliamentary elections in January 2009 and presidential elections in March 2009. The 
deployment of the EOM started in Dece mber 2008 and ended in April 2009. Final 
recommendations are being prepared and are lik ely to contribute to the improvement of the 
electoral system.  
v. Drugs 
EU and Latin American/Caribbean cooperation ag ainst illicit drugs take s place within a well-
defined framework of EU’s broader drugs policy. The bi-regional dialogue is conducted 
through the EU-LAC Co-ordination and Co-ope ration Mechanism on Drugs (since 1999) and 
through the EU-CAN High Leve l Specialised Dialogue in Drugs (since 1995).  
The success and added value of the EU-LAC dial ogue on drugs was rec ognised at the latest 
EU-LAC Summit in Lima, which called for th e EU-LAC Co-ordination and Co-operation 
Mechanism on Drugs to be boosted. The adop tion of the Rules of  Procedure for the 
Mechanism at the last High-Level meeting in Quito in 2009 is a significant step in this 
direction. 
Cooperation builds on mutual understanding of  shared responsibility, a balanced and 
evidence-based approach and compliance with in ternational law, including respect for human 
rights. In 2007 the EU and LAC confirmed thes e basic principles with the Port-of-Spain 
 
EN 11   EN Declaration, and materialised  them in common areas of c ooperation through supply reduction 
(e.g. PRELAC14 in LAC and PRECAN in CAN projects, Peace Laboratories in Colombia), 
demand reduction (e.g. Twin Cities15 in all LAC), alternative development (e.g. APEMIN16, 
FONADAL17 and PRAEDAC18 in Bolivia, PRODAPP19 in Peru) and other drug-related 
issues such as money laundering and cust oms, police and judicial cooperation (e.g. 
Intelligence Sharing Working Group).  
vi. Migration 
Migration is a very sensitive area for both regions and they share the view that it should be 
managed to the full benefit of the countries of  origin and destination and of the migrants 
themselves. At the Lima Summit in 2008, Head s of State and Government recognised the 
importance of migration and declared that th e structured and comprehensive bi-regional 
Dialogue on migration should be continued, where issues of mutu al concern and interest to 
both regions would be addressed in a constr uctive and pragmatic manner, and in an 
atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect.  The aims of this Dialogue are to identify 
common challenges and areas for mutual coopera tion, to build a stronger evidence base for 
EU-LAC migration to better unde rstand its realities, based on the principle of shared 
responsibility, and to boost the resolve and wi llingness to discuss migration issues in both 
regions.  
In December 2008, the EU Council of Minister s confirmed this, concluding that the 
modalities for a Structured and Comprehensiv e Dialogue on Migration decided at the EU-
LAC Lima Summit should be examined as soon  as possible. On 30 June 2009, the EU-LAC 
Structured and Comprehensive bi -regional Dialogue on Migrati on was formally launched in 
Brussels. The first high-level EU-LAC expert m eeting in the framework of the Dialogue was 
held on 25 September 2009 under the Swedish Pres idency and addressed issues related to 
migration and development.  
vii. Climate Change and Energy 
                                                 
14 Prevention of the Diversion of Drugs Precursors in the LAC (PRELAC) seeks to strengthen the 
capacities of the national administrative control author ities of selected countries within Latin America 
and the Caribbean to prevent the diversion of precursor chemicals. PRELAC builds partially upon the 
achievements of a predecessor EC project ‘Prevention of the Diversion of Chemical Precursors for the 
Scope of Drug manufacturing in the Andean Countries’ (PRECAN) , and extends the geographical 
scope to other countries in La tin America and the Caribbean. 
15 The objective of the Twin Cities project is to improve policy decisions at city level on the quality and 
coverage of drug treatment, rehabilitation and harm reduction for populations in the EU and LAC. 
16 APEMIN (an EU-funded programme for small-scale mining in Bolivia) provides technical assistance 
and financial support to small-scale mining operations in Oruro, revitalising the local economy and 
consequently reducing migratory flows to areas of illegal coca cultivation. 
17 FONADAL aims at supporting development of sustainable livelihoods, social infrastructure and 
strengthening of local authorities. 
18 PRAEDAC is an Alternative Development Programme in the Chapare region, which aims at modifying 
production patterns of illicit coca crops, providing alternative productive activities, strengthening State 
presence and social infrastructu re building in the region and improving alternative subsistence 
opportunities. 
19 PRODAPP (Programa de Desarrollo  Alternativo Pozuzo-Palcazú) is  an alternative development 
programme, whose objective is to support the Government of Peru in its programmes for poverty 
reduction and illicit crops prevention, and enhance local and regional management capacity for better implementation of local development plans. 
 
EN 12   EN Climate change and access to energy resources are common interests for the EU and Latin 
America. Many of the climatic shocks that are to hit the region are largely inevitable. Fortunately, sound adaptation policy is broadl y congruent with sound development policy. 
Examples include action to improve the region’s natural resource management systems and incorporate climate-related threats into the de sign of long-term infrastructure investment. 
Provisions that promote sustainable developmen t have become an integral part of all 
agreements the EU curr ently negotiates with countries in  the region. In 2007, the European 
Commission, together with Brazil and the United States, was among the initial founders of the 
International Biofuels Forum proposed by Brazil,  which aims at discussing the sustainable 
production of biofuels and now al so comprises China, India and South Africa as participating 
countries. 
In addition to adaptation policy, there is a strong  case for Latin America to play an active role 
in broader action to mitigate climate cha nge. Given its past record of low-carbon 
development, its wealth of natural resources, and its intermediate levels of income, many 
Latin American countries are well placed to ta ke a leading role in the developing world’s 
response to the challenge of climate change. Adopting a low-carbon development path would 
also benefit the region’s long-term competitiven ess since the world’s technological frontier is 
moving in the direction of these technologies. 
Climate change adaptation and clean energy po licy have been at the centre of the Rio 
Group/LAC - EU contacts since the Lima Su mmit in 2008. On that occasion, the Commission 
presented EUrocLIMA, an initiative aiming at expanding climate change networks and capacity in Latin America. Since the end of  2007, authorities from both Rio Group/LAC and 
EU have exchanged views on the topic, bu t Rio Group /LAC’s position on international 
efforts to limit emissions (mitigation) and ad apt to unavoidable impacts (adaptation policy) 
are rather diverse. This means their group position is often based on the lowest common 
denominator. 
viii. Research and Development 
Much has been achieved over the last decade in the ‘knowledge triangle’ linking education, 
science and technology (S&T), and innovation. On average, Latin American countries have 
increased the average level of schooling from about four years in 1999 to around seven years 
now. The international web of sc ience shows increases in scien tific and technol ogical output 
measured through numbers of publications of  international standing, including very 
significant percentages of co-pub lications with Europeans. In teresting results have been 
achieved by national and sub-regional work to  enhance innovative practices and strengthen 
the link between knowledge production, learning and use of knowledge in private and public 
sectors.  
The interconnection through th e ALICE Project (co-financed  by the @LIS Programe) of 
RedCLARA (that links national research and education centers thr oughout Latin America 
with the pan-European GEANT2 network) has provided a major cooperation tool to research 
communities of Europe and Latin America.  
This network has triggered not just high-le vel cooperation among EU  and Latin American 
researchers in general, but also supported specifi c collaboration initiatives in several scientific 
fields (e.g. on GRIDs, cosmic rays, astronomy, etc.).  
 
EN 13   EN On the other hand, underinvestment in agricu ltural research and development (R&D) in 
lower-income countries is increas ingly viewed as one of the r easons why they slip further 
behind their middle-income neighbours.  
There is agreement that, overall, this is a ke y area to unlock the de velopment and innovation 
potential of Latin America and is one of th e most promising areas for cooperation, cutting 
across several policy areas and instruments. S&T cooperation in creased consider ably over the 
last 10 years, not only with the four countries that have bilateral S&T cooperation agreements 
with the EU (Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexi co), but with the region as a whole. Several 
actions in the area of e-infrastructures have provided tools to foster research cooperation 
between Latin America and Europe. RedCLARA, the first regional res earch and education 
network for Latin America was created and interconnected with GÉANT2 (the advanced pan-european research and education network) th anks to the ALICE a nd ALICE2 projects (co-
financed by the @LIS Programme).In addition, the EELA and EELA2 projects (e-Infrastructure shared between Europe and Latin  America) are providing researchers in Latin 
America access to high capacity grids a nd distributed computing facilities.  
Furthermore the recently established Strategi c Forum (SFIC) for International Cooperation 
will contribute to enhance coordination and consistency between Member States' and the 
European Community's science and technology ac tivities with the Latin  America countries. 
Moreover, cooperation schemes focused on capac ity building and institutional cooperation 
strengthening between uni versities and other operators in the knowledge industry, such as 
ALFA, ALBAN, ERASMUS Mundus, Jean Monne t, Marie Curie Actions, Youth in Action, 
etc., have all made substantial contributi ons. The European Institute of Innovation and 
Technology (EIT) aims at cap italizing on the innovation capaci ty and capability of actors 
from higher education, research, business a nd entrepreneurship from the EU and beyond 
through the creation of highly integrated K nowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). 
ix. Trade and Investment 
As in other regions of the wo rld, the Commission has promoted trade and investment in Latin 
America as a key factor for sustainable develo pment. It has done so by promoting trade and 
investment, not only by negotiating comprehens ive trade agreements, but also by unilateral 
action, such as facilitating acce ss to the EU market through the generalised system of 
preferences and customs duty exemptions. Th e online ‘Export HelpDesk’ service provides 
information about opportunities and require ments for accessing the European Market. 
At multilateral fora, the two regions continue to pursue common objectives. As stated in the 
Madrid 2002, Guadalajara 2004, Vienna 2006 an d Lima 2008 EU-LAC Summit Declarations, 
successfully concluding the Doha Developm ent Agenda in the framework of the WTO 
remains high on the list of priorities. The Decl arations stress the importance of reaching an 
ambitious, comprehensive and balanced outcome , which would serve as a major opportunity 
to liberalise trade further thr ough increased market access and improved WTO rules. It would 
also enhance effective integration and full pa rticipation of developing countries in the 
multilateral trading system in a safe, stable and equitable environment for trade and investment. 
The EU is Latin America’s second largest trading partner. There has been a noticeable 
increase in trade between Lati n America and the EU, particul arly during the last decade, 
resulting in trade figures that mo re then doubled between 1990 and 2006.  
 
EN 14   EN Over the last twenty years, European busines ses have invested heavily in Latin America, 
making EU the biggest investor in the region. Ne vertheless, the investment potential in Latin 
America is still great. This is particularly so  in strategic sectors where European excellence 
has proved its mettle, such as information a nd communication technologies, the aerospace and 
automobile industries, engineering and metal-working, energy, the environment, 
infrastructure and transport. European scientific  research is also at the cutting edge in many 
sectors and has everything to gain from develo ping the considerable po tential of existing 
expertise and know-how in La tin America, for instance in  the areas of biotechnology 
(biofuels), aeronautics and health. The presence of European businesses in Latin America is a 
source of growth and employment and can help  reduce social inequalities. It encourages 
know-how and technology transfer, and offers ou tlets to local businesses (sub-contracting). 
The AL-Invest Programme set up by the Co mmission allows firms in both regions, 
particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to sign trade agreements and take 
advantage of technology transfer. 
The Commission is identifying further instruments to facilitate investment in infrastructure, 
which is crucial for competitiveness. Major financial gaps have been identified and Commission funding can substantia lly contribute to this end, helping to attain faster 
sustainable growth and equitable socio- economic development in Latin America. 
x. Intervention under the In strument for Stability  
The EU has also intervened under the Instrument for Stability (IfS). In Peru , for example, the 
Commission provided support to the Government for rehabili tation and reconstruction in 
areas affected by the 2007 earthquake. The in tervention aimed at promoting socio-economic 
stability, in particular sustainable recovery of  critical infrastructure, livelihoods and income 
generation assets. Also in Peru, the EC has fi nanced projects to boost government capacity to 
prevent social conflicts and violence.  
In Colombia , the EU has closely followed the process of demobilisation, disarmament and 
reintegration of AUC paramilitaries under th e ‘Justice and Peace Law’, Colombia’s legal 
framework for transitional justice. The Co mmission is supporting the Justice and Peace 
Process through its cooperation programmes, including fundi ng under the Instrument for 
Stability, which supports victims of the conflict in their quest for truth, justice and reparation. 
Funds from the Instrument for Stability have al so been used to finance a comprehensive coca 
leaf study in Bolivia . The activities include, inter alia,  the national household survey on legal 
coca demand as well as a survey on coca productiv ity in different produc tion zones. Besides, 
the IfS is financing a programme in support of democracy and political dialogue in that 
country. The Programme includes a series of meas ures to assist the or ganisation of elections 
and promote non-violent dialogue between social and political act ors, in close coordination 
with EU Member States and other donors involved.  
A Programme in support of democratic electoral  processes is also being implemented in Haiti 
with IfS funds. 
Nicaragua  benefits from IfS for rehabilitation and reconstruction in areas affected by 
Hurracane FELIX. Apart from promoting the sust ainable recovery of cr itical water sanitation 
infrastructure, livelihoods and income generati on assets, the programme also contributes to 
reinforcing dialogue and good governance a nd promoting disaster risk reduction.