JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean: joining forces for a common future
Date: 2019-04-16
Institutions: European Commission, European External Action Service
Subjects: Caribbean Islands, EU relations, Latin America, cooperation policy, democracy, economic growth, human rights, rule of law, sustainable development

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY Strasbourg, 16.4.2019 JOIN(2019) 6 final  JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean: joining forces for a common future     
 
 
Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council 
European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean: joining forces for a common future 

‘In  the  wider  Atlantic  Space,  the  Union  will  expand  cooperation  and  build  stronger 
partnerships  with  Latin  America  and  the  Caribbean  grounded  on  shared  values  and 
interests.’  

- A Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy1 

1. Introduction 

United  by  history  and  guided  by  many  shared  values,  the  European  Union  (EU)  and  Latin 
America  and  the  Caribbean  (LAC)  have  a  successful  and  long-standing  partnership.  Since 
1999  EU  and  LAC  are  linked  by  a  strategic  partnership,  grounded  on  a  commitment  to 
fundamental  freedoms,  sustainable  development  and  a  strong  rules-based  international 
system. For over twenty years, such a partnership has been a platform for mutually beneficial 
cooperation, a driver of change and an incubator for new ideas. 

Over  the  last  decades,  the  EU  and  LAC  have  reached  an  unprecedented  level  of 
integration.  The  EU  has  signed  association,  free  trade  or  political  and  cooperation 
agreements with 27 of the 33 LAC countries2. The EU and LAC countries often align in the 
United Nations, and have closely cooperated on the  Paris Agreement3 and the 2030 Agenda 
for  Sustainable  Development4.  Close  to  six  million  people  from  EU  and  LAC  live  and 
work across the Atlantic5, and more than one third of LAC students studying abroad do so in 
the EU. 

The economies are closely interconnected. EU is the third largest trade partner of LAC; total 
trade in goods increased from EUR 185.5 billion in 2008 to EUR 225.4 billion in 2018, and 
trade in services amounted to almost EUR 102 billion in 2017. The EU is the first investor in 
LAC, with a foreign direct investment (FDI) stock of EUR 784.6 billion in 2017, whilst the 
LAC  FDI  stock  in  the  EU  increased  substantially  over  recent  years  to  EUR  273  billion  in 
20176. 

The EU has been the largest provider of development cooperation to LAC, with EUR 3.6 
billion  in  grants  for  bilateral  and  regional  programmes  between  2014  and  20207  and  over 
EUR  1.2  billion  in  humanitarian  assistance  to  victims  of  man-made  crises  and  natural 
disasters the last 20 years. The European Investment Bank (EIB) invests in the achievement of 

1 Shared Vision, Common Action: A Stronger Europe. A Global Strategy for the European Union's Foreign and 
Security Policy (2016) 
2 All LAC countries except Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.  The most important 
of  these  are  the  Association  Agreements  with  Mexico,  Chile  and  Central  America,  the  Economic  Partnership 
Agreement with the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) and the Free Trade Agreements with Colombia, Peru and 
Ecuador. 
3 Paris Agreement (2015) 
4 Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2015) 
5 United Nations, International Migration Report 2017 
6 Eurostat 2019. EU investment in LAC is higher than the EU FDI stocks in China (EUR 176.1 billion, except 
Hong Kong), India (EUR 76.7 billion) and Russia (EUR 216.1 billion) combined. 
7 Focusing on critical areas such as security and the rule of law, environmental sustainability and climate change, 
agriculture,  food  and  nutrition  security,  inclusive  economic  growth  for  employment  creation,  public  financial 
management reform, public sector modernisation, and regional integration. 

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the Sustainable Development  Goals  in  LAC, with  a focus on climate change mitigation and 
adaptation, lending a total of EUR 3.4 billion during 2014-20188. 

In this context, this Communication proposes to strengthen the EU’s political partnership 
with LAC, setting out a vision for a stronger and modernised bi-regional partnership —
in  light  of  changing  global  and  regional  realities.  It  aims  to  provide  strategic  direction  for 
EU’s external action with LAC, in line with the principles set out in the Global Strategy for 
the  EU’s  Foreign  and  Security  Policy,  the  European  Consensus  on  Development9,  the  2030 
Agenda for Sustainable Development, the “Trade for All” Communication and the negotiating 
directives for a partnership agreement between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific 
Group of States10. 

introduces  new  challenges  and 
Today’s  fast  evolving  geopolitical  environment 
opportunities  for  the  partnership,  reinforcing  the  case  for  a  more  effective  regional  and 
bilateral cooperation, a modernised partnership focused on trade, investment and sectoral 
cooperation.  Those  global  changes  in  both  regions  demand  an  ambitious  and  innovative 
approach beyond a traditional donor-recipient logic and in the spirit of the 2030 Agenda for 
Sustainable  Development.  Since  2000,  China-LAC  trade  increased  from  USD  10  billion  to 
USD  244  billion  in  2017.  China  is  rivalling  the  EU  as  the  second  trading  partner  of  Latin 
America and, more broadly, has become a partner of growing relevance  for the region.  The 
traditional role and influence of the United States in the region has also changed over time. 

At  the  same  time,  LAC  is  faced  with  new  dynamics,  such  as  the  need  to  respond  to  the 
demands  of  a  digital  and  integrated  global  economy,  the  pressure  to  safeguard  the 
environment  and  to  promote  growth  while  ensuring  fair  social  outcomes,  or  the  concern  to 
ensure  the  continuation  of  a  long-term  trend  of  democratic  consolidation  and  sustainable 
development.  

The  EU,  with  its  model  of  regional  economic  integration  and  connectivity,  can  be  an 
important partner of LAC in tackling those challenges. The EU is lending its full diplomatic, 
humanitarian  and  economic  support  to  solving  the  ongoing  crises  in  certain  LAC  countries 
and  will  continue  to  promote  democratic  principles  and  respect  for  human  rights  in  its 
relations  with  LAC.  More  broadly,  the  EU  and  LAC  should  work  together  to  preserve 
multilateralism and a rules based global order, joining forces to deliver ambitious agendas. 

This  partnership  should  concentrate  on  four  mutually  reinforcing  priorities:  prosperity, 
democracy,  resilience  and  effective  global  governance.  Under  each  of  these  priorities  the 
Communication suggests a number of  areas and  concrete initiatives to  advance this  agenda, 
implemented through a more strategic and targeted EU engagement with the region. 

2. Standing up for our shared values and interests 

2.1 Partnering for prosperity 

Focused  and  determined  action  will  be  required  to  revitalise  economies  and  support 
growth.  EU  should  continue  partnering  with  LAC  in  their  efforts  to  address  persisting 

8 EIB's annual reports available on http://www.eib.org/en/infocentre/publications/all/index.htm.  
9 The New European Consensus on Development: “Our world, our dignity, our future”, OJ 2017/C 210/01. 
10  Trade  for  all:  Towards  a  more  responsible  trade  and  investment  policy,  COM  (2015)  0497;  Negotiating 
directives for a Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States of the one part, and 
with  the  countries  of  the  African,  Caribbean  and  Pacific  Group  of  States,  COUNCIL  (2018)  8094/18/ADD1. 
This Communication should also be read in light of the agreements that exist or are being negotiated between the 
EU and individual LAC countries or sub-regions; covering virtually the entire region they represent an important 
vehicle to implement the vision set out here within. 

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macroeconomic  challenges  in  the  region,  while  diversifying  and  modernising  the  different 
economic models, making them fit for globalisation. Making results sustainable also means to 
joining  forces  to  reduce  socio-economic  inequalities,  creating  decent  jobs  and  making 
globalisation work for all, and the transition towards a green and circular economy. 

Following these principles, the EU should step up its engagement with LAC partners on: 

Facilitating inter and intra-regional trade and investment. As a matter of priority the EU 
should cooperate to complete negotiations, ensure swift ratifications and fully implement the 
network of Association, Trade and Economic Partnership Agreements. Necessary steps to 
improve  the  business  and  investment  environment  in  the  region  should  be  taken.  The 
opportunities the agreements provide – more effective government procurement, better market 
access, innovation and competitiveness, intra-regional trade and integration into global supply 
chains – should be exploited. Effective and balanced protection of Intellectual Property Rights 
enhances  opportunities  for  research  cooperation  and  stimulates  competitiveness  and 
innovation.  At  the  same  time,  trade  agreements  should  further  sustainable  development, 
human rights and good governance: the EU should work together with LAC to strengthen 
the  implementation  of  social,  labour  and  environmental  provisions  in  existing  agreements, 
consistent  with  their  shared  commitment  to  the  2030  Agenda  for  Sustainable  Development, 
and promote responsible management of global supply chains.  

To  create  a  better  context  for  furthering  the  EU-LAC  trade  and  investment  agenda,  the  EU 
and LAC should jointly  promote  greater transparency, in particular during negotiations of 
new  or  revised  trade  agreements,  and  by  promoting  civil  society’s  participation  in  the 
implementation of agreements. 

Agreements  should  also  be  an  instrument  to  promote  regulatory  convergence  on  Sanitary 
and Phytosanitary issues in order to facilitate the exchange of goods, between LAC and the 
EU and to support high standards of food safety, animal health and plant health. In relation to 
the  fight  against  antimicrobial  resistance  (AMR)  with  a  “One  Health”  approach,  ongoing 
activities will support LAC in developing and implementing their national One Health AMR 
action plans. 

to 

The  EU  should  support  integration  efforts  within  LAC  to  boost  intra-regional  trade  and 
facilitate  investment,  such  as  the  Pacific  Alliance,  including  by  sharing  its  experience  on 
trade  and  promoting  regulatory  convergence  and 
addressing  non-tariff  barriers 
harmonisation. Work should continue to reform the investor-state dispute settlement system in 
the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law process to establish a permanent 
Multilateral Investment Court. The EU is also open to consider the possibility of investment 
protection  agreements  with  key  partners.  The  EU  should  encourage  the  ratification  and 
implementation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement, as a 
driver for cross-border trade. The EU should also encourage the accession of partners to the 
Agreement on Government Procurement. 

Promoting the transformation towards a green economy. The regions should lead the way 
towards more sustainable production and  consumption. Cooperation and mutual  learning on 
renewable  energy,  resource  and  energy  efficiency  and  circular  economy  holds  particular 
promise.  EU  research,  technology  and  expertise,  including  in  terms  of  harnessing  private 
financing for sustainable growth11, could assist LAC in unlocking its enormous potential for 
sustainable  hydro,  wind,  solar,  ocean  and  geothermal  energy,  while  strengthening  energy 

11 In line with Commission's Action Plan on Financing Sustainable Growth. ‘Action Plan: Financing Sustainable 
Growth’ COM (2018) 97 

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resilience  and  creating  jobs  and  business  opportunities.  Cooperation  on  high  performance 
computing  could  contribute  to  the  modernisation  of  energy  industries.  In  light  of  specific 
vulnerabilities of the Caribbean Islands, the EU should promote the external dimension of the 
‘Clean  Energy  for  EU  Islands’  initiative12,  and  support  and  leverage  investments  for 
renewable energies and energy efficiency. The European Investment Bank could contribute to 
this transformation by providing long term financing and relevant technical expertise.  

Promoting the blue economy. Closer collaboration on the blue economy and the sustainable 
use of marine resources, including through the establishment of marine protected areas in the 
Antarctic  Ocean,  would  create  favourable  conditions  for  growth  particularly  in  coastal  and 
island  communities  and contribute  to  climate  adaptation  and  mitigation.  Common  standards 
and  open  access  for  ocean  data  are  key  to  advance  blue  economies  and  improve  ocean 
governance. 

Facilitating 
the  transition  to  a  circular  economy.  Robust  and  evidence-based 
environmental policies and standards are key tools for sustainable economic growth. Specific 
attention  should  be  paid  to  plastics,  marine  litter  and  sustainable  management  of  chemicals 
and waste. Ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources can ensure the long 
term  viability  of  the  regions'  prosperity.  Both  sides  would  benefit  from  continuing  the 
dialogue and cooperation on raw materials in order to sustainably tackle the growing demand 
for these materials.  The  digital  Mineral  Development  Platform  launched  in 2017 provides a 
basis for this cooperation. Both regions could join forces in promoting responsible industrial 
value  chains  to  help  enterprises  observe  standards  of  responsible  business  conduct  that 
contribute to sustainable development. 

Promoting  sustainable  and  smart  cities.  With  the  vast  majority  of  people  in  both  regions 
living in urban areas13, promoting sustainable cities and action at local level continues to be 
important. The EU  and LAC can benefit from exchanging research and experience available 
in  the  area  of  sustainable  urbanisation  such  as  nature-based  solutions,  low-carbon  mobility 
solutions,  or  restoration  of  urban  ecosystems.  The  successful  city-to-city  cooperation  on 
sustainable urban development, such as the Global Covenant of Mayors, could be scaled up.  

Promoting  decent  work  and  competitive  and  responsible  businesses.  Promoting  decent 
work  and  respect  for  labour  and  environmental  standards  needs  to  remain  a  priority  for 
cooperation, in particular compliance with the International Labour Organisation conventions. 
Both regions contributed to the adoption of international labour standards, and should now 
work  together  towards  their  implementation,  including  on  freedom  of  association  and 
eradicating  child  labour.  The  EU's  successful  experience  in  dialogue  with  social  partners 
could be shared through the exchange of best practices. The transition to the formal economy 
is  a  key  challenge  in  LAC,  with  informal  employment  representing  over  40%  of  total  non-
agricultural employment14.  

Closer  cooperation  should  increase  the  productivity  of  micro,  small  and  medium-sized 
enterprises  (MSMEs).  Concrete  steps  in  this  direction,  ensuring  benefits  for  consumers  and 
producers on both sides, include making full use of the provisions of EU-LAC Association, 
Trade  and  Economic  Partnership  Agreements.  The  joint  work  to  promote  the  uptake  of 
internationally agreed standards on corporate social responsibility and responsible business 

12 The initiative provides a long term framework to help islands generate their sustainable, low-cost energy.  
13 In 2018, 81% of the population in LAC lived in urban areas and 74% in Europe. UN Department of Economic 
and Social Affairs (2018) Revision of World Urbanization Prospects. 
14 According to ILO, informal employment represented in 2014 46.8% of total non-agricultural employment. In 
2012, the informal economy made up 18.4% across the EU-27. European Commission & OECD (2017) Policy 
Brief on Informal Entrepreneurship  

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conduct in the regions should continue, including the Organisation for Economic Cooperation 
and  Development  (OECD)  guidelines  for  Multinational  Enterprises  and  the  United  Nations 
(UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. 

Cooperation  in  this  area  will  build  on  the  successes  of  ongoing  programmes,  supporting 
business intelligence, MSME networks and start-ups across both regions. The EU should also 
seek  to  encourage  cooperation  between  LAC  MSMEs  and  the  Enterprise  Europe  Network. 
LAC  business  clusters  and  networks  could  take  advantage  of  the  European  Cluster 
Collaboration Platform. 

Investing in knowledge, innovation and human capital. Both regions should make use of 
opportunities  under  Horizon  2020  and  the  proposed  future  Horizon  Europe  programme, 
promoting  the  mobility,  training  and  career  development  of  researchers  under  the  Marie 
Skłodowska-Curie  Actions,  scientific  excellence,  and  fostering  joint  solutions  to  global 
challenges in the framework of the Common Research Area. The EU could further share its 
experience in bridging science and the private sector, transferring technology and ideas from 
the  research  base  into  start-ups  and  industry,  and  in  promoting  smart  specialisation  and 
innovation at the regional level. 

The  EU  is  ready  to  take  joint  action  to  develop  the  human  capital  needed  to  match  the 
demands  of  rapidly  changing  technologies,  digitalisation  and  entrepreneurship.  The  two 
regions  should  continue  cooperation  in  higher  education,  building  on  the  programme 
Erasmus+,  engaging  in  more  higher  education  exchanges  and  capacity  building,  and 
strengthening  regional  dialogue  among  academia  and  policy  makers  They  could  develop 
closer cooperation on vocational education and training to respond to the skills demands of 
a  transforming  global  economy  and  engage  in  cooperation  that  contributes  to  decent 
employment, diversification and the competitiveness of strategic economic sectors. 

Advancing  the  digital  economy.  Digital  cooperation  should  be  made  central  to  the 
relationship, assisting the economies of both regions to reap the benefits of new technologies, 
while promoting innovation and digitalisation. 

Guided by a long-term vision of a digital single market in LAC, regulatory alignment should 
be supported, including on 5G, “Internet of Things”, Artificial Intelligence, standardisation in 
technologies for the digital transformation, European Global Navigation Satellite Systems and 
Copernicus and their industrial application, and investment in high-speed data infrastructure. 
The  EU's  Digital  Single  Market  provides  models  which  could  be  of  interest  to  the  LAC 
region, including on data security and electronic identification. Cybersecurity, e-government, 
e-commerce,  online  platforms,  cross-border  payments  and  internet  governance,  are  other 
promising areas of cooperation. Furthermore, it is important to enhance convergence between 
EU  and  LAC  on  personal  data  protection,  as  a  way  to  further  facilitate  data  flows  and 
cooperation between relevant authorities. 

A new submarine fibre optic cable, built with support from the EU and private investors, will 
connect Latin America to Europe and provide high-speed broadband connectivity that will 
boost  business,  scientific  and  education  exchanges  between  the  two  regions.  The  options  to 
reinforce the connectivity in Central America and the Caribbean region should be explored. 

Enhancing  connectivity  through  aviation  and  other  modes  of  transport.  Negotiating  new 
comprehensive  air  transport  agreements  would  not  only  improve  market  access,  it  would 
also  create  new  business  opportunities,  and  ensure  fair  and  transparent  market  conditions 
based  on  a  clear  regulatory  framework.  Such  agreements  would  also  provide  more 
connections  and  better  prices  for  passengers,  and  can  facilitate  further  cooperation  in  areas 
such as aviation safety, aviation security, social issues and the environment. Cooperation on 

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other modes of transport, such as rail and maritime transport, sustainable and intelligent urban 
mobility systems could be explored. 

Using  space  technology.  Space  is  an  expanding  area  of  cooperation  of  still  untapped 
potential.  Today  the  European  Global  Navigation  Satellite  Systems  —  Galileo  and  EGNOS 
—  are  an  operational  reality.  The  related  value  chain  is  able  to  provide  state-of-the-art 
expertise,  know-how  and  technology  that  can  be  shared.  Copernicus,  the  EU  Earth 
Observation  programme,  can  also  help  to  address  societal  challenges,  from  environmental 
protection  and  climate  change  to  agriculture  and  urban  development.  On  the  basis  of 
reciprocity,  full  use  could  be  made  of  the  Copernicus  cooperation  arrangements15  which 
provide free, full and open access to data. 

Partnering for prosperity:  

  To facilitate inter and intra-regional sustainable trade and investment,  work to  complete 
the network of trade and investment agreements as well as to ensure their swift ratification 
and full implementation, including of social, labour and environmental provisions; 

  Support  regional  integration  efforts  by  activating  concrete  cooperation  on  shared 

objectives with initiatives such as the Pacific Alliance; 

  Promote  the  green  economy,  including  by  supporting  low-carbon  energy  transition  in 
LAC,  and  by  working  together  on  developing  the  blue  economy  and  a  sustainable  and 
responsible management of natural resources, including raw materials; 

  To  support  better  work  conditions  and  the  growth  of  productive  and  responsible  micro, 
small,  and  medium-sized  enterprises,  work  to  increase  compliance  with  international 
labour standards and promote corporate social responsibility; 

  To enhance investment in knowledge, innovation and human capital, work to develop a EU 
LAC Common Research Area under Horizon 2020 and its successor programme (Horizon 
Europe); 

  To  advance  the  digital  economy  and  connectivity  between  the  two  regions,  enhance 
cooperation  and  promote  regulatory  alignment  in  key  areas  and  promote  infrastructure 
development in high speed broad band connectivity; 

  Expand cooperation in the area of air and maritime transport, sustainable urban mobility 

systems, and space and earth observation. 

2.2. Partnering for democracy  

Democracy  and  human  rights  are  at  the  core  of  the  EU-LAC  partnership.  The  EU  will 
continue to defend and promote democratic principles and the rule of law in its relationship 
with LAC. The EU – LAC partnership should stand by its values and respond to citizens’ call 
for  more  effective  good  governance.  The  promotion  of  democratic  political  systems  which 
deliver for their citizens will remain a priority in the EU’s external  policy. Shortcomings in 
governance, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, gender equality, corruption or the 
shrinking space for public participation and civil society, pose a fundamental challenge to the 
effectiveness  of  any  society's  development  efforts.  The  two  regions  stand  to  gain  from 

15 Already signed with Brazil, Chile and Colombia 

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working  together  towards  stronger  democratic  institutions,  enhanced  rule  of  law,  more 
transparency and accountability of public institutions, and better protection of human rights. 

To this effect, in its relation with LAC, the EU should focus on: 

Enhancing  the  respect  for  human  rights,  with  a  specific  emphasis  on:  freedom  of 
expression  and  of  association;  gender  equality  and  girls’  and  women’s  empowerment;  non-
discrimination  including  for  minorities,  such  as  lesbian,  gay,  bisexual,  transgender  and 
intersex  (LGBTI)  persons,  indigenous  peoples  and  persons  with  disabilities;  children  and 
youth; economic, social and cultural rights, including land, water and sanitation, housing and 
labour rights; the impartiality of the judiciary and the effectiveness of justice systems; an end 
to the practice of torture and abolition of the death penalty. The EU should therefore continue 
to cooperate closely with the relevant bodies of the Organisation of American States and with 
LAC countries to strengthen the international human rights regime. 

Empowering  civil  society  as  a  cornerstone  of  any  democratic  system  and  addressing  the 
restrictions  and  threats  to  civil  society  space,  human  rights  and  environmental  defenders, 
journalists  and  trade  unionists;  including  by,  promoting  an  enabling  legal  and  political 
environment which allows them to act freely and safely and expanding their opportunities for 
meaningful participation in decision-making, access to justice and information. 

Promoting gender equality and empowering all women and girls, including the protection, 
exercise  and  promotion  of  women’s  political,  social  and  economic  rights,  and  mainstream 
gender equality into all EU-LAC cooperation. The partnership should address as a matter of 
priority the alarming levels of gender-based violence, building on the experience of, inter alia, 
the Spotlight Initiative launched by the EU and the United Nations in 2018. 

Ensuring  credible,  transparent  and  inclusive  democratic  institutions  and  electoral 
processes.  The  EU  should  continue  to  mobilise  electoral  observation  and  expert  visits  and 
will  support  the  strengthening,  whenever  so  requested,  of  partners’  electoral  systems,  in 
cooperation  with  the  Organisation  of  American  States.  The  EU  and  LAC  should  increase 
cooperation  and  exchange  of  experiences  in  all  these  areas,  including  on  the  dangers  of 
disinformation. 

Consolidating  the  rule  of  law  and  the  fight  against  corruption,  money  laundering  and 
terrorist financing. Expertise and technical capacity can be made available for updating and 
modernising  legislation  and  strengthening  oversight  institutions.  The  EU  should  work  with 
LAC  partners  to  promote  the  ratification  and  effective  implementation  of  relevant 
international agreements. Corruption is a shared concern of the EU and LAC, and ambitious 
transparency  and  anti-corruption  provisions  are  part  of  the  modernisation  process  of  the 
Association Agreements with Chile and Mexico and of the negotiations with Mercosur. 

Supporting effective public institutions by joining efforts to make public institutions more 
effective, enhance domestic revenue mobilisation, carry out fiscal reforms, and ensure a merit 
based civil service. Empowerment of local authorities, modernisation of administrations and 
improving the delivery of services should be priority areas. 

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Partnering for democracy: 
  Give  priority  to  enhancing  respect  for  human  rights  and  democratic  principles,  by 
strengthening cooperation at regional and bilateral level and working jointly with LAC to 
coordinate action on human rights in relevant UN bodies; 

   Support  a  vibrant  civil  society,  including  by  advocating  a  greater  public  space  for 
journalists  and  human  rights  and  environmental  defenders,  and  their  meaningful 
participation in decision making; 

  To reduce the unacceptably high level of gender-based violence, work together with LAC 
on  promoting  the  political,  social  and  economic  rights  of  women  and  girls  and  support 
efforts to end violence against them; 

  Strengthen  support  to  the  functioning  of  democratic,  accountable  and  transparent 
institutions  and  to  the  organisation  of  fair  and  free  electoral  processes  through  expert 
advice and electoral observation; 

  Step  up  the  joint  work  to  fight  against  corruption,  money  laundering  and  terrorist 
financing  through  technical  assistance,  exchange  of  best  practices  and  promotion  of 
ratification and implementation of relevant international agreements. 

2.3. Partnering for resilience 

Social  cohesion  is  put  under  constant  stress  in  a  context  marked  by  globalisation,  social 
inequality,  rapid  urbanisation,  climate  change,  environmental  degradation,  recurring  and 
intensifying  disasters,  migratory  flows  and  forced  displacement.  All  these  challenges  pose 
particular problems for the most vulnerable LAC countries and can be the object of exchange 
of experience and best practices between the two regions. 

To sustain progress in development trajectories, the EU proposes a multifaceted and tailored 
approach to address state, society and ecosystems resilience in the relations between the two 
regions.  In line with  the Sustainable Development  Goals,  EU cooperation with  LAC should 
focus on: 

Climate  resilience  agenda  aimed  to  manage  climate  risks,  notably  in  the  small  island 
developing states in the Caribbean, and promote ecosystem-based approaches supporting the 
transition  to  a  low  carbon  economy.  Future  cooperation  can  build  on  the  approach  of  the 
EUROCLIMA+  programme16,  and  EIB  financing  for  investment  projects  contributing  to 
climate action and environmental protection. 

Both  regions  should  benefit  from  making  finance  flows  consistent  with  a  pathway  towards 
low greenhouse-gas emissions and climate resilient development, for example by establishing 
low-carbon investment frameworks. 

Cooperation on developing sustainable food systems is very important. The consolidation of 
adaptation and mitigation measures in the agricultural sector should remain key. 

The European Union Civil Protection Mechanism and the Emergency Response Coordination 
Centre  can  complement  LAC  relief  efforts  on  Disaster  Risk  Reduction,  including  by 
advancing  the  implementation  of  the  Sendai  Framework  for  Disaster  Risk  Reduction  2015-
2030. 

Environment  and  biodiversity.  LAC  has  40%  of  the  world's  biodiversity  and  7  of  the 
world's 25 biodiversity hotspots17. Loss of biodiversity, unsustainable extraction, management 

16 EUROCLIMA+ is a programme funded by the EU which supports the implementation of the Paris Agreement, 
http://euroclimaplus.org/  
17 Inter-American Development Bank (2012) Leveraging opportunities for sustaining growth: IDB biodiversity 
platform for the Latin America and the Caribbean. 

8 

 
 
 
                                                           
of  natural  resources,  and  degradation  of  land,  forests,  water  and  coastal  environments  are 
critical  environmental  challenges,  with  significant  impacts  on  ecosystems  services  and  the 
well-being of vulnerable groups, including indigenous and local communities. Global demand 
for  commodities  is  increasing  the  pressure  on  natural  resources  and  is  leading  to  severe 
deforestation  and  environmental  degradation,  affecting  livelihoods  and  development.  The 
partnership  should  further  the  sustainable  management  of  natural  resources  in  the  regions, 
including  land,  forests  and  water,  conservation  of  ecosystems  and  sustainable  agricultural 
supply chains. It should further the implementation of the short-term action plan on ecosystem 
restoration, adopted under the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), the Strategic Plan 
for  Biodiversity  2011-2020  and  the  post-2020  Biodiversity  Framework,  as  well  as  other 
international commitments and multilateral environmental agreements. 

Fight  against  inequality.  Persisting  inequalities  hamper  social  cohesion,  resulting  in  lost 
opportunities and economic growth, crime and violence and lowered trust in institutions, and 
ultimately  leads  to  an  erosion  of  democracy  and  the  rule  of  law.  The  GINI  index  kept 
reducing in Latin America from 0.543 in 2002 to 0.466 in 2017, but the rate of reduction has 
slowed down in the last years18. In 2017, the number of people living in poverty reached 184 
million  (30.2%  of  the  population)  and  the  proportion  of  persons  living  in  extreme  poverty 
continued to rise (62 million, 10.2% of the population, the highest percentage since 2008)19. 
In  the  coming  years,  the  shared  commitment  to  social  cohesion  should  translate  into  closer 
dialogue including exchange of best practice in this area.  

Both  regions  should  enhance  cooperation  on  fair  and  effective  tax  systems  and  social 
protection as essential instruments to foster inclusive economic growth and tackle inequality. 
This would build on the emerging cooperation on  good fiscal governance, where there is  a 
high level of commitment to address tax fraud, evasion and avoidance. Through programmes 
like EuroSOCIAL, both sides could exchange experiences on taxation, redistributive policies 
and the delivery of social services, including by benefitting from innovative measures in LAC 
on digitalisation of the tax compliance process.  The bi-regional dialogue on social  cohesion 
should  be  activated.  Both  regions  should  continue  to  cooperate  to  ensure  the  future 
implementation  of  evolving  global  standards  on  transparency  and  the  exchange  of 
information, fair taxation and minimum standards against base erosion and profit shifting20. 

Citizen security and the fight against organised crime. Both regions should strengthen the 
bi-regional dialogue on citizen security as a mechanism to exchange experiences and identify 
opportunities  for  further  cooperation,  including  on  the  humanitarian  consequences  of 
organised crime21. This could build on the EU- Community of Latin American and Caribbean 
States  (CELAC)  seminars  on  citizen  security  and  the  positive  bilateral  and  regional 
cooperation  programmes  on  drugs  (e.g.  Cooperation  Programme  on  Drugs  Policies  - 
COPOLAD,  Cocaine  Route  Programme)  and  on  transnational  organised  crime  (e.g.  EL 
PAcCTO).  In  addition,  and  given  the  scale  of  the  challenge,  practical  cooperation  between 
law enforcement agencies in both regions as well as agencies such as EUROPOL, European 
Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), Police Community of the Americas 
(AMERIPOL)  and  CARICOM  Implementation  Agency  for  Crime  and  Security  (IMPACS) 
should  be  deployed.  Cooperation  should  also  continue  to  address  drivers  of  crime  such  as 
poverty, social exclusion and the mismanagement of natural resources. 

18 ECLAC (2018) Social Panorama of Latin America. 
19 ECLAC, Social Panorama of Latin America 2018. 
20 Base erosion and profit shifting refers to tax avoidance strategies that exploit gaps and mismatches in tax rules 
to artificially shift profits to low or no-tax locations (OECD). 
21  In  line  with  the  Declaration  of  the  II  CELAC-EU  Foreign  Ministers  Meeting  in  July  2018,  and  the  2014 
Strategy on Citizen Security. 

9 

 
 
                                                           
Migration and mobility. People underpin the strong ties between EU and LAC. At the same 
time, both regions have been confronted with the migration challenges and could benefit from 
exchanging experiences and good practices. The crisis in Venezuela has generated the largest 
movement  of people in Latin America's recent  history, with  over three  million  Venezuelans 
now living abroad22, adding up to the traditional migratory trends in the continent. 

The  EU  should  seek  to  deepen  the  dialogue  and  cooperation  on  migration  and  mobility 
between  both  regions,  in  particular  to  prevent  irregular  migration,  trafficking  in  human 
beings,  increase  return  and  readmission,  strengthen  border  management,  security  of 
documents, integration of migrants in labour markets and societies and protection of people in 
need. Building on their respective expertise, bi-regional cooperation should be pursued on the 
multilateral  governance  of  migration  and  mobility,  including  within  the  framework  of  the 
United Nations. 

Institutional resilience is essential for good political and economic governance and to ensure 
the respect for the rule of law. Resilience has to be addressed at multiple levels – state, society 
and community. Local governments and civil society are often the basis on which resilience 
can take root and grow at community level. The EU should enhance sectoral policy dialogue 
with LAC countries by drawing upon the EU's best practices in promoting resilience. 

Cultural cooperation can help make the EU-LAC shared cultural diversity and rich heritage 
a  resource  for  human  development  and  economic  growth.  The  EU  proposes  a  people-to-
people  cultural  policy  approach  targeting  cultural  operators  and  promoting  partnerships,  co-
productions and exchanges around three pillars: (i) supporting culture as an engine for social 
and  economic  development  (ii)  promoting  culture  and  inter-cultural  dialogue  for  peaceful 
inter-community relations and (iii) reinforcing cooperation on cultural heritage. This will also 
help  to  take  advantage  of  both  regions'  immense  potential  in  the  cultural  and  creative 
industries including design, digital services, fashion, music, and audio-visual arts. 

Partnering for resilience: 

  promote  sustainable  management  of  natural  resources  and  ecosystems,  and  further 
implementation  of  the Strategic Plan for  Biodiversity and the post-2020  Biodiversity 
Framework; 
facilitate  coordination  and  deepen  cooperation  on  disaster  management  and  civil 
protection; 
intensify  dialogue  and  cooperation  on  social  cohesion,  social  protection,  tax  good 
governance, and financial regulation; 

 

 

  step up cooperation on security and fight against organised crime through enhanced 
use  of  bi-regional  dialogue  on  citizen  security  and  cooperation  between  law 
enforcement agencies ; 

  step  up  dialogue  and  cooperation  on  migration  and  mobility,  including  within  the 

framework of the United Nations; 

  promote  cultural  cooperation  by  fostering  people  to  people  exchange  programmes, 
holding  inter-cultural  dialogues  and  supporting  co-production  and  partnership 
projects in the cultural and creative sectors. 

22 UNHCR (2019) 

10 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
2.4 Partnering for effective global governance 

Preserving,  reforming  and  strengthening  effective  multilateralism  should  continue  to  be  a 
central  objective for the  EU-LAC  Partnership. Together the two regions  account  for around 
one third of UN membership, a substantial number of the members of the Group of Twenty 
(G20) and two thirds of the membership of the OECD. 

To contribute to effective global governance and further shape and advance the international 
agenda, EU and LAC could join forces at multilateral level to: 

Strengthen  the  multilateral  system:  EU  and  LAC  should  continue  to  support  the  UN 
Secretary General’s efforts aimed at a comprehensive reform of the UN system, including the 
Security  Council,  as  well  as  at  revitalising  the  General  Assembly  and  the  Economic  and 
Social Council. Support to the International Criminal Court should remain a priority. 

Deepen  cooperation  on  peace  and  security.  A  history  of  overcoming  inter-state  conflicts 
makes the EU a natural partner for LAC in promoting a peaceful settlement of disputes, and 
together  they  can  work  to  support  mediation  and  reconciliation  processes.  The  EU  should 
remain  invested  in  cooperating  towards  the  implementation  of  the  Peace  Agreement  in 
Colombia.  

LAC  countries  have  also  been  at  the  forefront  of  concluding  framework  participation 
agreements to take part in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operations 
(Chile and Colombia) and contributing to some of them (Brazil, Argentina and the Dominican 
Republic). 

Cooperation should also be enhanced on a range of security related issues, including hybrid 
threats,  cyber  security,  security  sector  reform,  border  security,  human  trafficking,  organised 
crime  and  arms  trafficking,  small  and  light  weapons,  and  countering  radicalisation  and 
terrorism.  Further  efforts  are  needed  to  implement  the  outcome  of  the  2016  UN  General 
Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem. 

The decision of LAC countries to become a nuclear weapons-free zone23 makes the region a 
key  partner  in  advancing  the  objectives  of  the  Nuclear  Non-proliferation  Treaty,  and  the 
ratification and implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty. 

Advance  multilateral  climate  and  environmental  governance.  Building  on  the  major  EU 
and LAC role in the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, collective efforts are needed to 
ensure its effective implementation and a global clean energy transition. The regions should 
mobilise  partners  to  address  the  biodiversity  crisis,  cooperating  towards  more  effective 
implementation  of  multilateral  environmental  agreements,  including  the  Aichi  Biodiversity 
Targets,  the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, and  a robust post-2020 biodiversity framework. 
Future  international  cooperation  can  build  on  the  experiences  of  initiatives  like  the  Global 
Climate Change Alliance24  and the EU Strategic  Partnerships for the  Implementation  of the 
Paris Agreement25.  

Strengthen 
the  effective 
international  ocean  governance.  Closer  cooperation  on 
implementation  of  the  UN  Convention  of  the  Law  of  the  Sea  (UNCLOS)  and  its 
implementing  agreements  would  create  conditions  for  sustainable  ocean  management  and 

23 Treaty for the prohibition of nuclear weapons (Tlatelolco Treaty), effective as of 1968 
24 The Global Climate Change Alliance is an EU initiative to help the world most vulnerable countries to address 
climate change, including small island developing states and least developed countries 
25  This  programme  advances  European  climate  policy  collaboration  with  the  world's  major  economies,  with  a 
focus  on  the  G20,  notably  through  furthering  the  implementation  of  the  Nationally  Determined  Contributions 
(NDCs). 

11 

 
 
                                                           
blue  economy.  It  will  be  important  to  cooperate  on  the  ongoing  development  of  an 
international legally binding instrument under UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable 
use  of  marine  biodiversity  of  areas  beyond  national  jurisdiction  and  on  the  fight  against 
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing. Enhanced cooperation is needed in regional and 
multilateral  organisations  related  to  oceans,  including  on  fisheries,  and  support  the 
development of scientific knowledge and advice. 

Implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. EU and LAC played a key role 
in shaping this multilateral manifesto for sustainable development and should also lead in its 
implementation.  As  set  out  in  the  Addis  Ababa  Action  Agenda,  all  available  means  of 
implementation, including public and private internal investment flows, need to be put to their 
full use to achieve the SDGs. 

Reform the World Trade Organisation. In the context of international protectionist trends, 
joint  efforts  should be redoubled to  uphold  the  open,  non-discriminatory and rules-based 
multilateral trading system, with a strong and well-functioning WTO at its core, working 
towards  the  reform  of  the  Organisation's  functions  of  rule-making,  monitoring  and  dispute 
settlement. 

Strengthen  global  macroeconomic  resilience.  Enhanced  exchanges  on  macroeconomic 
developments  and  appropriate  policy  strategies  globally  and  in  both  regions  is  essential  to 
secure strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive global growth. 

Partnering for effective global governance at multilateral level: 

  Promote further LAC participation to EU CSDP missions and operations, and work closer 

together to promote security and peace worldwide; 

  work  for  full  implementation  of  the  reforms  of  the  UN  system  on  Peace  and  Security, 

Sustainable Development and management; 

  join forces in pressing for full implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change 
while  mobilising  global  support  for  a  clean  energy  transition  and  a  robust  post-2020 
biodiversity framework; 

  develop  further  bi-regional  cooperation  on  ocean  governance,  including  on  the 
implementation  of  the  UN  Convention  on  the  Law  of  the  Sea  and  on  the  fight  against 
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing; 

  lead the way on implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; 

  develop  a  common  agenda  for  strengthening  the  multilateral  trading  system  through 

effective implementation of WTO Agreements and the reform of the WTO. 

3. Moving from vision to action 

Moving from vision to action, to effectively implement the agenda set out above, will require 
the  EU  and  LAC  to  renew  their  forms  of  engagement.  In  the  years  to  come,  guided  by  the 
priorities  outlined  in  this  Communication,  the  EU  will  seek  a  more  strategic  approach  with 
LAC,  upgrading  the  way  it  engages  with  the  region  politically  and  through  its  trade  and 
investment and cooperation tools.  

3.1. More strategic political engagement 

Principled pragmatism should guide Europe’s external action with LAC. A ‘one size fits all’ 
approach to the partnership does not fit the many diverse realities of LAC; partner countries 

12 

 
 
 
 
have  different  policy  priorities,  needs  and  assets.  While  maintaining  the  current  levels  of 
engagement  —  multilateral,  bi-regional,  sub-regional,  bilateral  —  the  EU  should  seek  to 
deepen the association with interested regional groups and countries willing and able to 
step up engagement on shared goals.  

The  EU’s  political  dialogues  with  different  LAC  countries  and  regional  groups  should 
continue to guide EU-LAC relations. The dialogues should help to identify shared priorities, 
interests and new cooperation opportunities. The Association Agreements concluded or under 
negotiation  with  several  countries26  and  the  Political  Dialogue  and  Cooperation  Agreement 
with Cuba signed in 2016 established policy dialogues in a wide array of areas, providing an 
adequate institutional framework to enhance cooperation on bilateral and regional issues. 

Support  to  regional  integration  should  remain  a  priority  in  the  EU’s  relations  with  LAC 
countries  out  of  the  conviction  and  experience  that  intra-regional  integration  brings  greater 
security,  economic  and  social  gains.  This  includes  cross-regional  mechanisms,  such  as 
CELAC,  as  well  as  sub-regionally  driven  efforts  such  as  the  Pacific  Alliance,  Mercosur, 
Central  American  Integration  System  (SICA)  and  Caribbean  Forum  (CARIFORUM)/ 
Caribbean Community (CARICOM).  

The  EU-LAC  partnership  should  become  more  prominent  at  the  global  level  and  better  at 
protecting and delivering global public goods, including through joint positions in multilateral 
fora. The  practice of informal  consultations between the EU and LAC countries before 
important international conferences should be intensified. Multilateral cooperation should 
become a permanent item of dialogues at all levels with LAC partners. 

Political  engagement  and  joined-up  approaches  between  the  two  regions  are  also  the 
instruments to promote democracy, peace and security and address crisis situations. Back in 
the 80s Latin America and Europe joined forces under the Contadora Group to promote peace 
in  Central  America,  laying  the  foundations  to  the  Esquipulas  Peace  Agreements.  The 
International  Contact  Group  (ICG)  on  Venezuela  is  another  example  of  an  initiative 
bringing together members from the two regions aimed at promoting political, democratic and 
peaceful  solutions  to  the  crisis  in  the  country,  the  impact  of  which  is  felt  well  beyond 
Venezuela’s borders. The ICG is grounded in values common to the EU and LAC and in the 
need to uphold democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights in the region. It embodies 
the  cooperative  and  rules-based  approach  that  drives  the  EU  foreign  policy:  working  with 
regional  and  international  partners,  it  seeks  to  create  the  conditions  for  a  political  solution 
through  free  and  fair  elections  and  the  delivery  of  aid  in  line  with  humanitarian  principles. 
The  EU  also  stands  ready  to  be  part  of  an  international  effort  to  rebuild  the  country’s 
institutions and economy once democracy has been restored. Joint diplomatic action based on 
multilateral  and  inclusive  frameworks  should  be  promoted  as  a  tool  in  our  bi-regional 
relations to address crisis situations. 

Aware that in today’s world there are different international players competing for influence, 
economic  presence  or  even  political  and  societal  models,  the  EU  should  differentiate  itself 
through its valued-based policy and promote a logic of complementarity and mutual benefit. 
An exclusionary vision of international relations where someone’s gain is someone else’s loss 
is detrimental to the two regions; the EU proposition to LAC is based on  open regionalism 
and win-win solutions. 

The EU should also pursue a responsible trade and investment policy in its relations with 
LAC  using  its  trade  agreements  to  promote  the  EU's  economic  interests  and  international 

26 Mexico, Chile, Central America, MERCOSUR. 

13 

 
 
                                                           
values  underpinning  the  EU-LAC  partnership,  playing  its  part  to  advance  democracy, 
prosperity and resilience and shape a more inclusive and sustainable globalisation. 

3.2 Cooperation for high impact 

In order to translate shared objectives into action and help fulfil the potential of the EU-LAC 
partnership,  the  EU  should  work  with  LAC  partners  to  implement  this  proposed 
comprehensive framework for cooperation. The framework should respond to the four priority 
areas outlined above — prosperity, democracy, resilience and effective global governance — 
acknowledging the need for decisive action on shared interests, where the regions engage as 
equal partners. 

This new comprehensive framework should be: 

  tailor-made, taking into account the diverse realities within the regions. 

  responsive to political  priorities, serving to  advance  common goals  and the interests of 
the EU-LAC partnership(s), as defined by the political dialogues taking place at different 
levels  of  EU-LAC  relations,  and  by  consultations  with  private  sector  and  civil  society 
groups; 

  comprehensive,  making  use  of  different  policy  areas  and  instruments  to  respond  to  a 

widening partnership agenda and to increasingly complex challenges; 

  coherent, ensuring that the different policies and instruments of the EU’s external action in 

LAC contribute to the wider goals of the EU-LAC partnership.  

Cooperation  in  support  of  the  implementation  of  the  universal  2030  Agenda  for 
Sustainable  Development  and  other  shared  international  commitments  will  be  a  core 
component of the new framework, with engagement at local, country, regional and global 
levels, as well as with civil society. A good example of this commitment are the sustainable 
development dialogues established under the agreements concluded with several countries.  

Working within the framework of the European Consensus on Development, the EU should 
continue to engage with LAC countries at different levels of development in an increasingly 
diversified  and  tailored  manner,  targeting  countries  where  the  needs  are  greatest, 
especially countries that are least developed, in situations of fragility and conflict - where 
the potential to raise finance is the lowest.  

Recognising  the  remaining  vulnerabilities  and  structural  constraints  faced  by  many  middle-
income countries  in  achieving sustainable development, the EU should strive to  harness  the 
mutual  benefits  of  collaboration  and  shared  prosperity.  The  EU  should  continue  targeted 
development  cooperation  where  appropriate,  and  further  engage  in  policy  dialogue  and  the 
sharing  of  experience  and  expertise  on  issues  such  as  poverty  eradication,  governance, 
refugee crises, and other shared interests. 

Dialogues and cooperation initiatives on public policy and reform will take into account the 
diversity  of  partner  countries,  promote  mutual  interests  and  identify  common  priorities  and 
challenges.  The  EU  also  recognises  the  important  role  of  the  cooperation  of  more 
advanced  developing  countries  in  LAC with  other  developing  countries  as  well  as  their 
impact  on  global  public  goods  and  challenges.  As  these  countries  need  fewer  or  no 
concessional forms of assistance, the EU should develop innovative engagements with them 
to promote the global implementation of the 2030 Agenda. 

To support the new framework for cooperation, the EU should make full and complementary 
use of its range of instruments and programmes while introducing innovative means to further 
the aims of the EU-LAC partnership. Of particular importance should be: 

14 

 
 
  policy dialogues to identify and drive the EU and LAC's mutual expectations of domestic 

reforms, bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation;  

  sharing of knowledge and expertise on issues of mutual interest, including public policy, 

institutional strengthening, and regulatory environments; 

  promotion  and  leverage  of  both  public  and  private  financing  to  unlock  investments 
with  high  economic,  environmental  and  social  return,  including  through  blended  finance 
and  support  to  investment,  and  through  structured  dialogue  to  improve  the  investment 
climate, focusing on countries most in need. 

  triangular  cooperation,  which  mobilises  and increases  cooperation  capacities,  including 

to achieve the SDGs. 

The  European  Investment  Bank  and  Member  States  development  finance  institutions, 
play an important role in financing sustainable development in LAC, in a context of reduced 
inflows of Official Development Assistance. 

Finally,  the  EU-LAC  cooperation  would  benefit  from  a  refinement  of  its  tools  thanks  to  a 
simplified architecture of the external funding instruments and greater flexibility to meet the 
challenges and maximise the opportunities of the bi-regional partnership. 

3.3. Our societies in the driving seat 

The  EU  should  continue  to  promote  close  engagement  with  civil  society,  think  tanks,  local 
governments, 
the  business  sector,  employers'  and  workers'  organisations,  cultural 
organisations, academics and young people. This engagement should continue to inform EU-
LAC political and policy dialogues, ensuring that they respond to the concerns of citizens of 
both  regions.  The  ability  of  civil  society  to  engage  in  effective  advocacy  and  promote 
government  accountability  and  transparency  should  be  a  continued  aim  of  cooperation 
initiatives. The EU-LAC Foundation also plays a prominent role in this regard. 

The  parliamentary  dimension  is  an  essential  component  of  the  EU-LAC  political 
engagement.  The  constructive  and  active  role  of  the  European  Parliament  and  other 
parliamentary bodies in the bi-regional partnership should continue in the future. 

The EU should continue its close collaboration with regional and bi-regional organisations, 
such  as  the  United  Nations  Economic  Commission  for  Latin  America  and  the  Caribbean 
(ECLAC), the Organisation of American States, the Ibero-American General Secretariat, the 
Italo-Latin  American  Institute,  the  Inter-American  Development  Bank,  or  the  Development 
Bank of Latin America. 

4. Towards a joint agenda 

This Communication outlines a series of proposals to strengthen the partnership between the 
European Union and LAC. It reflects the EU's strong interest in deepening relations with LAC 
countries and regional groups and remaining a stable and reliable partner for the region. 

The EU believes that the partnership should take a stronger stand for values and vital interests 
— prosperity, democracy, resilience and effective global governance — and make better and 
more targeted use of the different dimensions of EU-LAC relations to that effect. The EU will 
work towards more strategic political engagement, stepping up partnering efforts with those 
countries  or  regional  groups  willing  to  do  more  to  further  common  goals.  It  will  seek  to 
further rules-based and progressive trade and investment policies, while working with LAC to 
preserve and reform the strong multilateral trading system. It will cooperate on action that will 

15 

 
 
 
 
attain  high  impact  under  the  shared  priorities  and  the  2030  Agenda  for  Sustainable 
Development. 

At the same time, the EU-LAC  partnership goes far beyond  governments. The ties between 
the  people  of  the  regions  are  today  as  dynamic  as  ever;  it  is  the  citizens  who  build  bridges 
between the regions, who research and innovate, create new jobs and hold decision-makers to 
account. More should be done to assist them in fulfilling their potential. 

This  should  lead  to  a  more  joined  up  and  coherent  EU  external  action  in  LAC,  pooling 
strengths and resources. The implementation of this Communication will be pursued in close 
cooperation with  the EU Member States, whose  diverse links to the  LAC region strengthen 
the unique nature of the EU-LAC partnership. Joint programming and common initiatives to 
make Europe’s external action more effective should be explored wherever feasible. 

This  is  the  EU’s  vision  for  the  future  of  the  EU-LAC  partnership.  Dialogue  with  LAC 
partners will allow to join forces for a common future. 

16 

 
 
 
List of acronyms (in alphabetical order) 

5G 

ACP 
AMERIPOL 

CARICOM IMPACS 

CELAC 

CEPOL 

COPOLAD 

CSDP 
ECLAC 

EGNOS 

EIB 
EL PAcCTO 

EU 
EUR  
EUROCLIMA+ 

EUROPOL 
EUROsociAL 

FDI 
G20 
IDB 
LAC 
LGBTI 

MSMEs 
NDCs 

Community 

Implementation 

5th Generation (Cellular Mobile 
Communications) 
African, Caribbean and Pacific 
Comunidad de Policías de América 
Police Community of the Americas 
Caribbean 
Agency for Crime and Security 
Community of Latin American and Caribbean 
States 
European Union Agency for Law Enforcement 
Training 
Programa de Cooperación entre América 
Latina, el Caribe y la Unión Europea en 
Políticas sobre Drogas 
Cooperation Programme between 
Latin America, the Caribbean and the 
European Union 
on Drugs Policies 
(EU) Common Security and Defence Policy 
United Nations Economic Commission for 
Latin America and the Caribbean 
European Geostationary Navigation Overlay 
Service 
European Investment Bank 
Europa Latinoamérica Programa de 
Asistencia contra el Crimen Transnacional 
Organizado 
Europe Latin America Assistance Program 
against Transnational Organized Crime 
European Union 
Euro(s) - € 
Programa Regional de Sostenibilidad 
Ambiental y Cambio Climático para América 
Latina 
Regional Environment Sustainability and 
Climate Change Programme for Latin 
America 
European Union Agency for Law Enforcement  
Programa para la Cohesión Social en 
América Latina 
Programme for Social Cohesion in Latin 
America 
Foreign Direct Investment 
Group of Twenty 
Inter-American Development Bank 
Latin America and the Caribbean 
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and 
Intersex 
Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises 
National Determined Contributions 

17 

 
 
 
OAS 
ODA 
OECD 

SDG(s) 
SICA 

UN 
WTO 

Organisation of American States 
Official Development Assistance 
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and 
Development 
Sustainable Development Goal(s) 
Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana 
Central American Integration System 
United Nations 
World Trade Organisation 

18