WRITTEN QUESTION E-2485/00

by Isidoro Sánchez García (ELDR) to the Council

(24 July 2000)

Subject: Relations between the Union and Latin America under the French Presidency

In his speech to Parliament outlining Council activities in the second half of 2000, the French President, Jacques Chirac, said that the Union should strengthen its role on the international stage.

How does the Council propose to handle the Union's external relations with Latin America?

Reply

(9 November 2000)

1. The Council considers that implementation of the bilateral commitments and guidelines adopted by the European Union and the countries of Latin America, in the existing institutional framework, could indeed contribute to strengthening the EU's role on the international stage. Regarding the definition of these guidelines and commitments, special reference should be made to the first Summit of the Heads of State and of Government of the European Union and of Latin American and Caribbean countries (Rio de Janeiro, 28/29 June 1999) and the IXth Institutionalised Ministerial Meeting between the European Union and the Rio Group (Vilamoura, 24 February 2000). It should be noted that the latter meeting was immediately preceded and followed by other meetings with more restricted geographical frameworks (EU-Mexico, EU-Andean Community and EU-Mercosur/Chile and Bolivia Ministerial Meetings) which contributed to defining more specific cooperation objectives.

The framework and objectives of that cooperation as defined could be given more detail and improved in the near future. They will thus contribute to the definition of a strategic partnership in the political, economic, social, environmental, educational, cultural, human, technical and scientific fields.

2. This partnership, as defined at Vilamoura, covers sectors as varied as:

- the role of the international and regional systems for promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms;

- the elimination of poverty, marginalisation and social exclusion and the reduction of socio-economic inequalities;

- respect for the principles and provisions of international and humanitarian law;

- the stepping up of cooperation on subjects of common interest within international fora;

- coordination with regard to combating the world drugs problem, organised crime and terrorism;

- prevention of natural catastrophes, from the development viewpoint;

- sustainable development, including the question of world conservation of forests and the rational use of forest resources;

- regional integration;

- bi-regional cooperation to bolster national systems and put into place prevention and early-warning mechanisms for international financial crises.

The Community bodies, and in particular the Council of the European Union, must therefore do what is required to intensify cooperation with Latin America, particularly in the abovementioned sectors.

3. Note that the French Presidency's programme for the second half of 2000 especially emphasises the continuation of dialogue with the sub-regions of Latin America in the framework of regular meetings with the regional groups to be held alongside the United Nations General Assembly. The Presidency will also propose to its partners that they reflect on a review of the common position on Cuba and the possibility of restoring political dialogue with that country.

4. The competent bodies of the EU Council will, in good time and as applicable, define the rules appropriate for deepening and broadening relations with the countries of Latin America. They thus hope to contribute to a strengthening of the role of the EU on the international stage, as proposed by European Council President Jacques Chirac in his speech to the European Parliament.