Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council - The European Union and Latin America: Global Players in Partnership {SEC(2009) 1227}
Date: 2009-09-30
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU relations, Latin America, climate change, cooperation policy, development aid, employment policy, environmental policy, financial policy, macroeconomics, regional integration, research policy, social policy

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 30.09.2009 
COM(2009) 495 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE 
COUNCIL  

The European Union and Latin America: Global Players in Partnership 

{SEC(2009) 1227} 

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The European Union and Latin America: Global Players in Partnership 

1. 

INTRODUCTION 

The  Strategic  Partnership  between  the  European  Union  (EU)  and  the  countries  of  Latin 
America  and  the  Caribbean  (LAC)1  was  founded  in  Rio  de  Janeiro  in  1999.  Much  has 
changed over the past ten years in Europe, in Latin America and at global level, creating new 
challenges and new priorities.  

The Communication assesses the state of play of the Strategic Partnership with regard to Latin 
America  and  the  results  of  the  Commission’s  strategy  for  Latin  America,  as  outlined  in  its 
2005  Communication  ‘A  stronger  partnership  between  the  European  Union  and  Latin 
America’2.  Over  the  past  decade  the  two  regions  have  cooperated  on  a  joint  agenda  in  a 
number  of  bi-regional,  bilateral,  multilateral  and  sector-specific  fora  on  a  wide  range  of 
issues.  Today,  the  EU  is  Latin  America's  second  largest  trading  partner  and  the  EU  is  the 
biggest investor in the region. Over the past ten years, the European Commission has financed 
more than 450 projects and programmes accounting for more than €3 billion. On the basis of 
the experience gained, this Communication outlines the targets and objectives which should 
guide the Commission’s strategy on the region in the coming years.  

The Communication also addresses the bi-regional challenges posed by the global economic 
and financial crisis (hereafter ‘the crisis’), climate change and other topics that have risen up 
the  political  agenda  in  the  bi-regional  relationship,  as  far  as  Latin  America  is  concerned, 
notably migration. 

This coincides with the Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the European Community’s regional and 
country strategy documents for the period 2007-2013, and thus also presents an opportunity to 
adapt current cooperation instruments to new needs and circumstances.  

The Communication is also a contribution to constructive preparations for the next EU-LAC 
Summit  to  be  held  in  spring  2010  in  Spain.  It  seeks  synergy  with  other  institutionalised 
political  dialogues  to  which  the  EU  or  its  Member  States  are  party  (e.g.  the  EU-Rio  Group 
Ministerial Meetings and the Ibero-American Summits). This should help boost the EU-Latin 
America alliance.  

2. 

STRATEGIC  PARTNERS,  GLOBAL  PLAYERS:  ACHIEVEMENTS  AND  NEW 
CHALLENGES 

2.1. 

Achievements 

In its 2005 Communication ‘A stronger partnership between the European Union and Latin 
America’, the Commission sought to strengthen the bi-regional political and policy dialogue 
in  a  number  of  important  areas.  Its  main  objectives  —  which  remain  the  EU’s  current 
strategic policy priorities — are to: promote regional integration and negotiations to establish 
Association  Agreements  with  sub-regions  in  Latin  America;  steer  development  cooperation 
towards the reduction of poverty and social inequality and improve educational levels.  

The main results of the bi-regional relationship can be summarised as follows:  

•  Increased coordination on strategic topics and political and sectoral dialogues 

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The  EU-LAC  Summit  Process  also  involves  the  countries  of  the  Caribbean  that  are  parties  to  the 
Cotonou Agreement. This present Communication focuses on EU-Latin America relations. 
COM(2005) 636 of 08.12.2005.  

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The EU-LAC Summit process is key to implementing the Strategic Partnership. It facilitates 
dialogue at the highest level, underscores the special nature of the relationship and fuels the 
bi-regional  agenda.  The  most  recent  Summit  in  Lima  in  2008  was  a  chance  to  discuss 
positions on strategic topics that are high on the bi-regional and international agenda, such as 
poverty  and  climate  change.  The  same  trend  is  noticeable  at  other  high-level  bi-regional 
meetings,  such  as  the  EU-Rio  Group  Ministerial  Meeting  that  took  place  in  Prague  (May 
2009)  and  focused  on  the  economic  and  financial  crisis,  renewable  energy  and  energy 
security. 

In  recent  years,  high-level  bi-regional  sectoral  policy  dialogues  have  intensified,  notably  on 
sustainable development issues, drugs and migration. In preparation for the Lima Summit, the 
Commission organised the first EU-LAC Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (Brussels, 
March  2008).  Combating  climate  change  has  become  an  increasingly  important  issue  in  the 
bi-regional relationship and was one of the key topics of the Lima Summit. This Summit led 
to the launch of the EUrocLIMA Programme, a joint EU-Latin America initiative to promote 
bi-regional cooperation on climate change, with the aim of reducing its impact and helping to 
mitigate  adverse  effects.  The  Lima  Summit  also  called  for  further  development  of  a 
Structured and Comprehensive Dialogue on Migration, which was launched on 30 June 2009 
and which will address issues related to regular and irregular migration, as well as migration 
and  development.  At  sub-regional  and  bilateral  level,  too,  sectoral  dialogues  are  on  the 
increase, for example on drugs, human rights, education, culture, science and technology.  

Besides,  the  deepening  of  cooperation  between  Latin  America  and  the  Caribbean  is  an 
important component of the EU-LAC Strategic Partnership. Various summit declarations have 
called  for  the  promotion  of  the  consolidation  of  relations  between  the  EU  and  the  greater 
Caribbean.  Different  treaties  and  agreements  are  already  linking  both  sub-regions. 
Cooperation  among  all  countries  bordering  the  Caribbean  Sea  also  takes  place  through  the 
Association  of  Caribbean  States  (ACS)  to  which  the  Commission  became  an  observer  in 
spring 2009.  

Summits 

 Main Outcomes with respect to Latin America 

1.  Rio  de  Janeiro 
1999 

Launch of the Strategic Partnership between the EU and 
the LAC; EU-MERCOSUR negotiations opened. 

2. Madrid 2002 

Announcement of the EU-Chile Association Agreement 
(AA); launch of the ALBAN programme; launch of EU-
LAC  Common  Higher  Education  and  Knowledge  Area 
concept. 

3. Guadalajara 2004  Launch of the EUROsociAL programme. 

4. Vienna 2006 

Opening of EU-Central America negotiations on an AA; 
launch  of  negotiations  on  an  AA  between  the  EU  and 
the CAN; EuroLAT set up. 

5. Lima 2008 

Launch  of  EUrocLIMA;  concept  of  an  EU-LAC 
Foundation;  decision 
to  start  a  Structured  and 
Comprehensive Dialogue on Migration.  

•  Promoting social cohesion 

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Latin American countries are playing an increasingly important role in shaping new forms of 
economic  and  social  governance  at  global  level  and  have  made  considerable  progress  in 
improving social policies in recent years. Still, inequality and social exclusion remain burning 
issues for the region. This is why promoting social cohesion has been a key policy objective 
of  the  Strategic  Partnership  ever  since  its  launch  at  the  Guadalajara  Summit.  The  mutual 
benefits  of  bi-regional  dialogue  on  issues  such  as  developing  skills  to  meet  labour  market 
needs,  youth  employment,  the  extension  of  social  protection  and  decent  work,  are  self-
evident.  

Much  has  been  done  for  promoting  social  cohesion  in  the  region.  Following  the  EU-LAC 
Vienna Summit in 2006, the first EU-LAC Forum on Social Cohesion was launched in 2007. 
A major part of the funds available for EC cooperation with Latin America has been allocated 
for social cohesion. Dialogue and cooperation between government authorities, international 
institutions  and  civil  society  has  also  intensified  under  the  EUROsociAL  and  URB-AL 
programmes.  

The Commission has had valuable cooperation with organisations such as the Inter-American 
Development  Bank  (IDB),  the  United  Nations  Development  Programme  (UNDP),  the 
Economic  Commission  for  Latin  America  and  the  Caribbean  (ECLAC),  the  World  Bank 
(WB)  and  the  International  Monetary  Fund  (IMF).  This  has  provided  a  significant  input 
towards the conceptual and operating activities of international institutions and development 
plans  in  the  region,  notably  by  helping  to  converge  views  on  and  approaches  to  social 
cohesion.  

Bi-regional  dialogues  on  fiscal  policies  got  underway,  which  should  promote  better 
redistribution  of  income  and  wealth.  Since  2008,  two  high-level  EU-LAC  Fora  on  Fiscal 
Policies  have  been  held  providing  a  platform  for  experience-sharing  and  demonstrating  the 
concrete  impact  of  Commission  cooperation  in  this  area.  For  example,  with  Commission 
support, Uruguay reformed its tax system in 2007, which generated increased revenue and in 
turn permitted a substantial increase in social expenditure. 

•  Strengthening relations with partners in the region 

The bi-regional partnership is being strengthened in two ways: by stepping up relations with 
the sub-regions and with individual countries.  

Encouraging  regional  integration  remains  a  key  policy  priority  in  EU  relations  with  Latin 
America and the Caribbean, as shown mainly in the negotiations on sub-regional Association 
Agreements. Negotiations with Central America progressed well until a political crisis struck 
Honduras. It is hoped, however, to resume them as soon as the situation has stabilised. 

When  negotiations  came  up  against  difficulties,  the  EU  presented  alternative  approaches  to 
support the countries and regions concerned. In the case of the Andean Community (CAN), 
an  attempt  to  conclude  a  region-to-region  Association  Agreement  was  not  successful. 
However,  at  the  request  of  a  number  of  Andean  countries,  the  EU  offered  them  the 
opportunity  to  conclude  a  trade  agreement  with  a  regional  perspective,  together  with  the 
option of expanding the 2003 Political and Cooperation Agreement.  

After negotiations with MERCOSUR were suspended in 2004, progress was made on political 
dialogue and cooperation, further expanding the political agenda. The EU continues to attach 
high  priority  to  re-launching  the  negotiations  as  soon  as  possible,  also  in  areas  where 
constraints  are  identified,  and  is  exploring  practical  ways  to  further  support  integration  and 
interconnectivity in the region. 

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At the same time, the EU is forging closer links with individual countries in Latin America 
and  the  Caribbean.  Comprehensive  agreements  with  Chile  and  Mexico  have  led  to 
considerably  stronger  bilateral  relations,  enhanced  political,  economic,  and  trade  ties  and 
created the conditions for cooperation in a wide range of areas. The EU and Chile are working 
to  establish  an  ‘Association  for  development  and  innovation’.  Strategic  partnerships  have 
been  established  with  Brazil  and  Mexico  and  are  being  implemented  with  ambitious  action 
plans  and  increased  dialogue.  Work  on  establishing  high-level  political  dialogue  with 
Argentina has advanced. 

After years of stagnation in the relations, high level political dialogue has been launched and 
development  cooperation  re-established  with  Cuba  which  could  eventually  create  the 
conditions for a contractual framework for EU-Cuba relations.  

The rich and dynamic nature of parliamentary dialogue has been evident since EuroLat (Euro-
Latin  American  Parliamentary  Assembly)  was  set  up  at  the  Vienna  Summit.  Regular 
dialogues with civil society organisations have also been held to ensure they are involved in 
the Partnership and specifically in negotiations on Association Agreements. 

2.2. 

New Challenges 

Since 2005, the context in which the Partnership operates has changed. It has become more 
complex, and new global challenges have arisen that must be addressed.  

Both  regions  have  experienced  the  serious  effects  of  volatile  food  and  commodity  prices 
aggravated  by  the  economic  and  financial  crisis.  However,  thanks  to  economic  reform  and 
sustained growth in recent years, Latin America is on a better footing to face this crisis than 
previous  external  shocks.  Still,  the  crisis  has  also  affected  the  level  of  foreign  direct 
investment  in  and  remittances  to  the  region,  while  exports  are  decreasing.  Reversing  these 
trends  is  essential  to  restore  economic  confidence  and  overcome  the  present  situation  by, 
importantly,  abstaining  from  protectionism.  The  social  consequences  of  the  crisis  are  also 
significant,  particularly  for  the  most  vulnerable  in  society,  and  will  make  it  especially 
challenging for many countries to promote social cohesion.  

The  negative  impact  of  climate  change  is  already  felt  in  Latin  America  and  is  likely  to 
become  more  serious  over  the  next  decade,  which  could  greatly  impair  the  prospects  for 
sustainable  development.  Latin  America’s  rich  biodiversity  and  agricultural  productivity  are 
at great risk. At the same time, many Latin American countries are very important negotiating 
partners  in  the  international  climate  negotiations  and  are  well  placed  to  take  the  lead  in 
promoting  low-carbon  development  solutions,  energy  efficiency  and  renewable  energy 
domestically.  On  the  side  of  mitigation,  the  fight  against  deforestation  is  of  particular 
importance in this region and should consequently be given adequate priority in our dialogue 
and  cooperation  activities.  For  these  reasons,  cooperation  with  Latin  America  on  climate 
change adaptation and mitigation, science and technology (S&T) and disaster risk reduction 
will be of the utmost importance. 

More  recently,  crime  has  added  to  the  region’s  most  pressing  concern  of  fighting  poverty. 
Illicit drugs, human trafficking, organised crime and violence are on the rise and disrupt the 
stability, security, governance and development of the countries and regions affected. A key 
concern in this context is also the cooperation among all countries along the major trafficking 
routes. 

Migration  poses  another  challenge  but  also  offers  opportunities  for  the  Partnership,  since  it 
has the potential to yield economic, social and cultural benefits to countries of both origin and 
destination. To this end, migration must be properly managed to benefit all countries and the 
migrants themselves, with full respect for human rights. The Structured and Comprehensive 

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bi-regional  Dialogue  launched  in  June  2009  is  therefore  of  major  importance,  especially  in 
view of the rising migratory flows from LAC to the EU. The Dialogue will provide a platform 
for exchanging views and reaching mutual understanding of each other’s realities, challenges 
and needs. To achieve this, the Dialogue will have to address all aspects of migration in an 
open,  balanced  and  constructive  way,  with  Parties  assuming  their  respective  responsibilities 
for the management of migratory flows. 

Enhancing  effective  multilateralism  is  both  a  joint  commitment  and  a  challenge  for  the 
Partnership. More should be done to harness the combined weight of EU and Latin America 
in tackling the many global issues on which policies converge. A greater impact is needed on 
the  international  scene,  where  the  two  regions  represent  about  one-third  of  UN  and  G20 
membership. 

3. 

3.1. 

LOOKING AHEAD: NEW STRATEGIES, NEW RESPONSES 

Stepping up Bi-Regional Dialogue 

•  The  full  potential  of  the  Summits’  political  capital  has  not  yet  been  entirely 
unlocked.  This  could  be  addressed  by  making  Summits  more  result-focused. 
Therefore, dialogue should focus on operational targets and the means to achieve 
them.  Summits  should  concentrate  on  a  few  concrete  initiatives,  becoming  the 
main tool to plan bi-regional cooperation. 

•  Strengthening dialogue and coordination with other regional processes such as the 
Ibero-American  Summits,  Union  of  South  American  Nations  (UNASUR), 
Organisation of American States (OAS), etc. should be envisaged.  

•  Dialogue and strategic coordination should be intensified in a number of key areas 

that are closely related to global challenges, including migration. 

•  Dialogue  should  be  comprehensive,  involving  also  the  civil  society,  non-state 
actors,  cultural  and  financial  institutions,  etc.  This  should  be  achieved  with  the 
support of the EU-LAC Foundation. 

Proposals:  

–    Step up bi-regional macro-economic and financial dialogue. 

Increase  the  convergence  of  positions  to  better  address  the  challenges  posed  by  the  crisis, 
promote  global  trade  and  investment,  reject  protectionism  and  collaborate  on  financial 
regulatory  and  supervisory  matters  and  the  reform  of  international  financial  institutions 
consistent with the G-20 reform agenda. 

–    Step  up  dialogue  on  environment,  climate  change  and  disaster  risk  reduction, 

and energy. 

Dialogue  should  continue  within  the  UN  framework  and  elsewhere  to  foster  consensus  and 
facilitate  the  successful  conclusion  and  follow-up  of  international  agreements,  including  the 
agreement on climate change in Copenhagen in December 2009.  

–    Step  up  dialogue  on  science,  research,  higher  education,  technology  and 

innovation.  

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In preparation for the Summit in Spain in 2010, a dialogue on S&T should be held on issues 
of knowledge and innovation to make progess in developing an EU-LAC Knowledge Area.3 
The  recently  formed  EU  Strategic  Forum  for  International  Cooperation  (SFIC)4  can  play  a 
useful role in strengthening S&T cooperation with LAC. The V EU-LAC Ministerial Forum 
on  Information  Society  in  2010  will  review  the  on-going  cooperation  in  the  area  of 
information and communication technologies (ICTs). 

–    Step up dialogue on employment and social affairs. 

Bi-regional policy dialogue should help to advance the decent work agenda, including in the 
ongoing  global  debate  on  the  employment  and  social  dimension  of  the  recovery  from  the 
crisis  and  sustainable  growth,  and  address  key  employment  policy  issues,  such  as  matching 
skills with labour market needs, youth employment and the extension of social protection.  

–    Step up bi-regional dialogue on migration. 

Migration should be managed to the full benefit of the countries of origin and destination and 
of  the  migrants  themselves.  Dialogue  on  migration  should  provide  a  platform  for  regular 
exchanges of views to increase mutual understanding of both regions’ realities, challenges and 
needs. 

Recommendations 

•  Strengthen political dialogue by making the Summits more action focussed. 

•  Ensure consistency between the agendas of Summits and Ministerial Meetings.  

•  Crucially, step up political dialogue on priority areas related to global challenges, such as 
macro-economic  and  financial  issues,  security  and  human  rights,  employment  and  social 
affairs, 
and 
environment, 
technology/innovation. 

,  higher 

education 

climate 

change 

energy 

and 

•  Develop  and  strengthen  the  EU-LAC  Co-ordination  and  Co-operation  Mechanism  on 
Drugs and pursue the ongoing Structured and Comprehensive Dialogue on Migration in an 
open and constructive way, in line with the EU Global Approach to Migration.  

•  In  addition  to  engaging  in  political  dialogue,  take  a  bottom-up  operational  approach  by 

strengthening inter-connectivity and cooperation on knowledge and innovation. 

3.2. 

Strengthening Regional Integration and Inter-Connectivity 

•  The  EU  should  reiterate  its  commitment  to  regional  integration  in  Latin  America  by 
pursuing  the  ongoing  negotiations  and  supporting  integration  efforts  within  the  region, 
including new institutional formations such as, for example, UNASUR. 

•  In  order  to  give  greater  impetus  to  regional  integration  and  make  it  an  effective  tool  to 
foster  sustainable  development  and  growth,  current  support  for  developing  sustainable 
infrastructure should continue. Special emphasis should be put on inter-connectivity. This 
implies devising joint initiatives and projects involving the public sector, the private sector 
and financial institutions. 

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‘Innovation and Knowledge’ is also the key issue for the Iberoamerican Summit (Portugal, November 
2009). 
The Forum has been set up by the 2891st Competitiveness Council in December 2008. 

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•  To  this  end,  the  Commission  will  set  up  the  Latin  America  Investment  Facility  (LAIF). 
This  initiative,  which  will  be inspired by  the Neighbourhood  Investment  Facility  (NIF)5 
will  pool  together  grant  resources  from  the  Community  and  possible  additional  grant 
contributions from the Member States. The amount dedicated from the existing envelopes 
of the Community budget will be € 100 million for the period  until 2013. LAIF grants will 
have  a  leverage  effect  to  mobilise  resources  from  financial  institutions  to  finance 
investment projects notably in three areas: 

i.  interconnectivity  and  infrastructure, in  particular energy  efficiency  and  renewable 
energy systems, sustainable transport, and communication networks; 

ii.  social  and  environmental  sectors  including  climate  change  mitigation  and 
adaptation;  

iii. providing for growth of the private sector (in particular of SMEs) 

LAIF will therefore not only provide a response to the crisis, but also promote more long-term 
development by supporting sustainable investment in the region. 

Recommendations 

•  Pursue negotiations on Association Agreements and support integration efforts within the 

region. 

•  Take  a  bottom-up  approach  to  support  regional  integration  by  strengthening  inter-

connectivity. Launch the Latin America Investment Facility (LAIF). 

3.3. 

Strengthening Bilateral Relations: Taking Greater Account of Diversity 

The Commission believes it necessary to develop a deeper relationship and a more structured 
and  intense  dialogue  with  individual  countries  in  the  region.  However,  this  dialogue  should 
bring  added  value.  To  that  end,  bilateral  dialogue  and  cooperation  should  be  intensified  in 
areas  of  common  interest,  such  as  energy,  transport,  research,  science  and  technology,  and 
good  governance  in  tax  matters  where  the  relationship  can  be  strengthened.  This  means 
tailoring relations to each particular case in order to obtain the greatest mutual benefit. This 
approach complements and supports efforts to achieve greater regional integration. 

Recommendations 

•  Take  full  advantage  of  existing  Strategic  Partnerships  (Brazil  and  Mexico),  existing 

Association Agreements (Chile and Mexico) and bilateral cooperation agreements. 

•  In  particular,  with  regard  to  trade,  complete  negotiations  to  implement  the  evolution 

clauses in the existing agreements with Chile and Mexico.  

•  Strengthen  bilateral  relations  with  individual  countries  to  complement  EU  support  for 

regional groupings.  

3.4. 

Tailoring and Adapting Cooperation Programmes 

•  The  overall  aim  of  EU  development  cooperation  is  to  eradicate  poverty  and  promote 
sustainable  economic  and  social  development,  including  the  achievement  of  the 
Millennium  Development  Goals  (MDGs).  This  applies  both  to  Latin  American  countries 

5 

An  innovative  financial  mechanism  aimed  at  mobilising  additional  funding  to  cover  the  investment 
needs  of  the  EU  neighbouring  countries  for  infrastructure  in  sectors  such  as  transport,  energy, 
environment  and  social  issues.  The  Facility also  supports  the  private  sector,  e.g.  through  risk  capital 
operations targeting small and medium enterprises (SMEs).  

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and developing countries. However, this policy objective should be tailored to the region, 
as it also includes some emerging countries and upper middle-income countries. 

•  The  merits  of  significantly  diversifying  the  instruments  and  targets  of  EC  cooperation 
should be explored. While concentrating financial resources on the poorest countries, the 
EU  should  look  for  new  forms  of  cooperation  with  countries  with  higher  levels  of 
development.  For  all  countries,  this  may  entail  putting  more  emphasis  on  cooperation  in 
areas  such  as  Climate  change  (mitigation  and  adaptation),  higher  education,  multi-
lingualism  research,  science  and  technology,  including  energy  efficiency  and  renewable 
energy,  to  complement  joint  efforts.  The  Instrument  for  Industrialised  Countries  (ICI+)6, 
for which Latin American countries will be eligible, should facilitate this approach. 

•  The EU should continue  cooperation  on social cohesion, in particular through a renewed 
EuroSociAL programme. Greater focus should be placed on supporting social safety nets 
and  other  action  yielding  short-term  tangible  results  and  thus  having  a  counter-cyclical 
effect.  The  Commission  should  assess  the  case  for  providing  more  opportunities  for 
institutional  partnerships  in  the  context  of  ongoing  policy  dialogues  (twinning).7  This 
should  encourage  the  transfer  of  know-how  and  enhance  exchanges  of  experiences  and 
good practices between authorities. 

•  As a number of countries in the region have taken on  cooperation with poorer countries, 
further opportunities for  South-South and triangular cooperation should be explored. The 
EU  could  engage  in  triangular  cooperation  with  partners  from  Latin  America  and  other 
regions in order both to join forces to help achieving the Millennium Development Goals 
(MDGs) and to tackle trans-regional threats. 

Recommendations 

•  Design  cooperation  programmes  with  Latin  America  to  generate  low-carbon,  sustainable 
growth, employment and better income distribution and to mitigate the effects of the crisis. 

•  Use  the  Mid-Term  Review  to  explore  greater  diversification  in  instruments  and  adapt 

Commission cooperation work to different needs, namely:  

–  continue  focusing  financial  resources  under 

the  DCI  (Development  and 
Cooperation  Instrument)  on  the  poorest  countries  and  the  needs  of  the  most 
vulnerable groups; 

–  improve  cooperation,  especially  on  social  cohesion  and  regional  integration,  by 
targeting programmes on emerging needs and ensuring more tangible results;  

–  look  for  strengthening  cooperation  in  knowledge  and  innovation-related  areas 
such as research/higher education, science, technology, and renewable energy; 

–  mainstream climate change considerations, both on mitigation and adaptation, in 
our  development  and  cooperation  programmes,  including  as  regards  the  fight 
against deforestation, 

–  develop new forms of cooperation within the framework of the ICI+. 

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A  revised  Financial  Instrument  for  Cooperation  with  Industrialised  Countries  (proposed  by  the 
European  Commission),  permitting 
(non-
ODA) activities for developing countries.  
Twinning is a joint project between cooperating partners committed to achieving concrete operational 
results. 

finance  non-official  development  assistance 

to 

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•  In  the  framework  of  a  renewed  EUROsociAL  programme,  explore  opportunities  for 

institutional partnerships and triangular cooperation. 

•  Increase cooperation in the field of justice, freedom and security. 

4. 

TOWARDS THE NEXT EU-LAC SUMMIT, MAY 2010 

The  EU-LAC  Summit  in  Spain  will  be  a  step  forward  in  the  renewed  Strategic  Partnership 
between  both  regions  and  will  focus  on  innovation  and  technology  as  an  engine  for 
sustainable development and social inclusion. It will be an opportunity to assess progress on 
implementing  commitments  made  at  the  previous  Summit,  such  as  creating  the  EU-LAC 
Foundation,  designed  to  stimulate  debate  on  common  strategies,  and  action  to  boost  the  bi-
regional  partnership  and  enhance  its  visibility,  as  well  as  further  advancing  the  EU-LAC 
Knowledge Area. 

Recommendations 

•  Ensure  that  the  Summit  takes  into  account  the  impact  of  the  crisis,  in  particular,  on 

employment and social issues, and yields viable results. 

•  Launch the Latin America Investment Facility (LAIF). 

•  Step  up  dialogue  and  cooperation  between  both  regions  in  the  field  of  low  carbon  and 
green  technologies  and  innovation  with  concrete  action,  including  boosting  institutional 
capacity for S&T cooperation in the region. 

•  Mark the creation of the EU-LAC Foundation. 

•  Encourage  cooperation  on  issues  of  common  concern  between  Latin  America  and  the 

Caribbean. 

5. 

CONCLUSIONS 

in 

links 

the  framework  of 

Over  the  last  ten  years,  the  EU  and  Latin  America  have  committed  themselves  to 
consolidating 
the  EU-LAC  Strategic  Partnership.  This 
Communication sets out a series of recommendations, implementation of which will depend 
on  all  concerned.  The  Commission  calls  on  the  Council  and  the  European  Parliament  to 
examine  these  recommendations,  particularly  as  part  of  preparations  for  the  next  EU-LAC 
Summit in Spain (May 2010). The Commission suggests discussing the Communication with 
our  Latin  American  partners,  as  a  means  to  stimulate  a  debate  on  ways  to  strengthen  the 
alliance between the EU and Latin America. 

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