JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL A New Agenda for Relations between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean
Date: 2023-06-07
Institutions: European Commission, European External Action Service
Subjects: Caribbean Islands, EU relations, EU strategy, Latin America, cooperation policy, democracy, fight against crime, human rights, organised crime, rule of law

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY Brussels, 7.6.2023  JOIN(2023) 17 final  JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL A New Agenda for Relations between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean  
 
 
 
 
A New Agenda for Relations between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean  

Introduction 

The European Union (EU) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are natural partners. 
United  by  unique  historical  and  cultural  links,  deep  economic  and  social  ties  and  a  joint 
commitment to peace and multilateralism, the EU and LAC have created a strong relationship 
underpinned by a large network of agreements. Characterised by cooperation and dialogue, this 
enduring partnership is built on shared values and mutual interests. 

In a fast-changing global context, the EU-LAC relationship warrants a renewal. Increasing 
geopolitical challenges, a devastating pandemic, the global climate and environmental crises, 
technological changes and rising inequalities all underscore the case for intensifying dialogue 
and enhancing cooperation among close, trusted partners.  

As  partners  of  choice,  the  EU  and  LAC  should  work  together  to  harness  their  collective 
strength,  defend  common  interests  and  jointly  address  global  challenges.  This  Joint 
Communication sets out the EU’s proposal to develop together an ambitious and forward-
looking agenda for a new era of cooperation between equal and like-minded partners. 

This Joint Communication makes the case for a renewed strategic partnership and proposes 
a set of priorities and concrete actions in key areas.  

First, the EU and LAC are key allies to strengthen the rules-based international system and 
step-up joint action to promote peace, security, democracy, the rule of law and human 
rights. Representing together one third of the membership of the United Nations (UN), the EU 
and LAC play an important role in upholding international law and defending the principles of 
the UN Charter, including by standing up to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The EU 
and  LAC  also  share  the  objective  to  make  the  multilateral  system  more  effective  and 
representative.  

Second, the EU and LAC are close trade and investment partners with a shared interest in 
promoting  sustainable  growth  and  enhancing  economic  resilience,  while  reducing 
excessive dependencies and diversifying trade relations. The two regions are connected by one 
of  the  densest  networks  of  trade  agreements,  which  should  be  completed,  while  its  further 
potential is unleashed. The EU is the top investor in the LAC region, the third largest trading 
partner1 and the leading contributor of development cooperation.  

Third,  both  regions  aspire  to  build  inclusive  and  sustainable  societies,  based  on  a  joint 
commitment to the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).2 The LAC 
region is vital to the ecological balance of the planet, in addition to being a major food producer 
and a renewable energy powerhouse. The EU and LAC should together lead a fair green and 
digital transition, including by rolling out the Global Gateway investment strategy.  

1 Eurostat. Total EU Foreign Direct Investment stock in LAC stood at EUR 693 billion at the end of 2021. 
2 As well as the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the High Seas 
Treaty on Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction. 

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1.  A renewed political partnership 

A strong EU-LAC partnership requires renewed political engagement at all levels: between 
the two regions, with individual LAC countries, with sub-regions and in multilateral fora. Open 
and  regular  high-level  political  dialogue  is  key  to  provide  focus  and  impetus  to  the 
relationship, to understand each other’s interests, agree on priorities and joint actions and to 
address challenges and differences in our relationship as they arise. 

EU-LAC relations are based on a multi-layered and flexible approach, taking into account 
the diversity and changing dynamics of the region. The EU will continue to support regional 
integration while also deepening engagement on shared goals with interested countries. At bi-
regional  level,  the  Summit  between  the  EU  and  the  Community  of  Latin  American  and 
Caribbean States (CELAC) in July 2023, the first since 2015, offers a unique opportunity to 
reinvigorate the partnership.  

To drive forward this  positive agenda, both  sides should commit to  regular meetings  at  the 
level of Heads of State and Government, Foreign Ministers’ meetings in alternate years and 
other  ministerial  and  senior  officials’  meetings  as  appropriate.  A  permanent  coordination 
mechanism between the EU and CELAC should be set up to ensure continuity and follow-up, 
matching  the  evolution  of  CELAC  to  set  up  its  own  structures.  Its  goal  would  be  to  build 
common ground on the full range of issues of the agenda, respond to emerging developments 
and promote specific sectoral dialogues and joint initiatives as necessary. 

A  regular  bi-regional  dialogue  with  CELAC  will  complement  enhanced  engagement  with 
individual  LAC  countries  as  well  as  with  (sub-)regional  groups  such  as  Mercosur,  the 
Central American Integration System (SICA), the Andean Community, the Pacific Alliance or 
the Alliance for Development in Democracy.  

A  distinct  sub-region  with  its  own  specificities,  the  Caribbean  merits  increased  political 
attention  and  structured  dialogue.  In  this  regard,  cooperation  between  the  EU  and  the 
Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) should be reinforced. The EU 
should also continue to engage with international organisations, such as the UN, including its 
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Organisation of American 
States as well as the Ibero-American General Secretariat.  

More  effective  use  can  also  be  made  of  the  EU’s  bilateral  or  regional  frameworks,  which 
encompass  almost  all  LAC  countries.  Together  with  its  partners,  the  EU  will  continue  to 
upgrade existing political, trade and cooperation agreements, as relevant. The conclusion of the 
EU-Mercosur  agreement  would  mark  a  step  change  in  strengthening  EU-LAC  relations. 
Bilateral engagement with individual countries, tailored to specific interests and needs, will 
remain at the core of the EU-LAC relationship. EU presence in LAC through four outermost 
regions3 as well as the Overseas Countries and Territories4 is an asset to this partnership. 

At multilateral level, the well-established cooperation between the EU and the UN Group of 
Latin America and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC) could be reinforced, including through 
more  regular  issue-based  dialogue  and  timely  and  continuous  engagement  of  EU  and  LAC 
diplomatic networks in capitals and multilateral hubs.  

3 French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin. 
4 Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Saint Barthélemy. 

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Areas  for  cooperation  include  the  implementation  of  the  2030  Agenda  and  of  global 
commitments  on  climate  change  and  the  environment,  global  health  and  the  Global  Digital 
Compact, and support to the UN Secretary General’s ‘Our Common Agenda’. Both regions 
also have an interest in ensuring that the multilateral architecture is more representative and fit 
to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. 

EU and LAC should strengthen their collaboration at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), 
the G20, multilateral development banks (MDBs) such as the World Bank Group and the Inter-
American Development Bank (IDB), and in regional development banks. 

The EU  and  LAC share  a strong interest  in  working together to  enable the  global financial 
system  to  better  respond  to  the  needs  of  the  countries  most  vulnerable  to  climate  change, 
notably through MDBs reform. This includes joining efforts to ensure a successful Summit for 
a New Global Financing Pact and following up on its outcomes, taking into account proposals 
such as the Bridgetown Initiative. 

The EU and LAC should continue to cooperate on tax good governance. The two regions have 
a shared interest in implementing the international standards on transparency and exchange of 
information, fair taxation, and the minimum standards against Base Erosion and Profit Shifting. 
The EU will continue to support the accession of LAC candidate countries to the Organisation 
for  Economic  Co-operation  and  Development  (OECD)5  or  encourage  their  membership  in 
relevant international/multilateral fora. 

Proposed Key Actions: 

-  Enhance EU-CELAC dialogue: organise regular Summits – alternating with meetings of 
Foreign Ministers, and establish an EU-CELAC permanent coordination mechanism;  

-  Strengthen EU-Caribbean political engagement, including with the Caribbean Community 
(CARICOM). An EU-Caribbean Leaders’ Meeting, to be organised in the margins of the 
17-18  July  2023  EU-CELAC  Summit,  will  be  an  important  signal,  complemented  by 
organising regular meetings at Foreign Ministers’ level;  

-  Sign the EU-Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Agreement 
and work towards the ratification of the EU-Central America Association Agreement; 

-  Relaunch bilateral summits with strategic partners Brazil and Mexico; 

-  Where  appropriate,  modernise  the  existing  network  of  Political  and  Cooperation 
Agreements and establish bilateral political dialogue mechanisms with LAC countries that 
do not currently have them; 

-  Strengthen  cooperation  between  LAC  and  the  EU  outermost  regions,  as  well  as  the 
Overseas Countries and Territories situated in the LAC region in areas of common interest; 

-  Work closely with LAC countries in the run-up to the SDG Summit and the Summit of the 
Future  in  2024,  with  a  view  to  putting  the  2030 Agenda  back  on  track  and  achieving  a 
transformative and forward-looking ‘Pact for the Future’;  

5 Argentina, Brazil and Peru.  

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-  Establish  regular  consultations  between  EU  and  GRULAC,  and  reinforce  coordination 
including  through  joint  proposals  in  key  multilateral  institutions  and  bodies,  exploring 
opportunities for ambitious exchanges and partnerships on specific topics; 

-  Enhance cooperation for a new Global Financial Pact; 

- 

Identify opportunities for support of well-qualified candidates for multilateral leadership 
positions from each other’s regions. 

2.  Strengthening a common EU-LAC trade agenda 

EU-LAC trade and investment ties are based on a network of bilateral and regional trade 
agreements that has increased two-way trade by 40% since 20186. These agreements are a key 
driver  for  growth  as  they  provide  preferential  access  and  offer  a  stable  framework  for 
sustainable trade.  

Trade agreements facilitate exports from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), promote 
transparency in  public procurement,  strengthen intellectual property protection, and support 
investment and innovation. Through trade agreements and related investments, both regions 
diversify trade and build sustainable supply chains, including those for clean energy and critical 
raw  materials.  These  agreements  are  catalysts  for  sustainable  and  inclusive  development, 
giving a voice to civil society on both sides, and providing a platform to advance the respect 
for human and labour rights, the protection of the environment and regional integration.  

Concluding the EU-Mercosur agreement is a priority for the EU, as this would bring the two 
regions together in a win-win partnership that creates opportunities for further growth, supports 
jobs and boosts sustainable development.  

The EU and Chile have negotiated a modernisation of their current agreement that improves 
access  to  each  other’s  markets,  contains  ambitious  commitments  on  trade  and  sustainable 
development (including on gender and sustainable food systems) and facilitates the transition 
to renewable energy and sustainable use of raw materials.  

The EU and Mexico are engaged in the modernisation of their existing agreement with a view 
to deepen and broaden their political and economic ties. In addition to tearing down most of 
the remaining barriers to trade, the modernisation will, among other elements, strengthen EU 
and Mexico’s commitments to high trade and sustainable development standards and improve 
investment conditions.  

Once the agreements with Central America and  Colombia, Peru and Ecuador have been 
ratified by all EU Member States, the strengthening of their sustainability provisions should be 
considered.  The  two  agreements  have  contributed  towards  the  stability,  diversification  and 
predictability of the trade and investment environment between both regions7. They have also 
set up well functioning dialogue structures to discuss and work  on labour and environment. 
Ratification  of  the  new  EU-OACPS  agreement  is  also  important  for  the  EU-CARIFORUM 
Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) as its political framework. 

6 ESTAT Comext: Total trade in 2018: EUR 209.44 billion; in 2022: EUR 293.09 billion. Growth 39.9%. 
7 See DG TRADE website, ex-post evaluation of the trade agreements: 
https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/analysis-and-assessment/ex-post-evaluations_en 

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Sustained implementation  efforts  are  also  necessary to  realise the full potential of the trade 
agreements for both regions. This  requires the involvement  of all relevant  actors, including 
businesses of all sizes and civil society. Dialogue on green transition policies in the framework 
of the agreements should enhance the contribution of trade to sustainability goals. The ongoing 
joint  five-year  review  with  CARIFORUM  will  identify  operational  conclusions  and 
recommendations  for  better  implementation  of  the  agreement,  contribute  to  a  full 
operationalisation  of  all  key  provisions  and  help  unlock  the  full  economic  potential  of  the 
agreement. 

The EU will continue to work with LAC partners to help create the conditions for sustainable 
investment, including through Global Gateway and the support of open, stable, and predictable 
legal  frameworks,  the  removal  of  discriminatory  barriers,  and  the  implementation  of 
investment facilitation.  

Trade agreements contribute to a commercially-based, transparent and stable legal framework 
for trade and investment in raw materials between the EU and LAC countries. Building on the 
partnerships being developed with individual LAC countries, the EU will work with interested 
LAC partners on establishing a global Critical Raw Materials Club to strengthen sustainable 
supply chains and diversify sourcing, bringing consuming and resource-rich countries together 
to jointly address the shared challenges8. 

The EU and LAC share an interest in a strong, rules-based trading order and in a reformed 
World Trade Organisation (WTO) with  a dispute settlement  mechanism  applicable to  all 
members, whether large or small. Both regions have an important role to play in the negotiation 
of plurilateral initiatives, such as e-commerce. The EU will promote and support the application 
in LAC of the WTO Investment Facilitation Agreement which, once concluded, will further 
increase investments in LAC.  

The  attention  to  the  sustainability  agenda  between  the  EU  and  LAC  should  also  jointly 
address  the  impact  of  EU  legislation,  in  particular  related  to  the  European  Green  Deal 
(deforestation  policy,  the  Carbon  Border  Adjustment  Mechanism  and  other  instruments 
promoting the green transition) and those aiming to ensure human, animal and plant health. 
The discussion should also include support to facilitate trade in products subject to these pieces 
of legislation.  

Proposed Key Actions: 

-  Finalise procedures for the signature of the EU-Chile Advanced  Framework Agreement 

and interim Free Trade Agreement and proceed with their ratification; 

-  Make decisive progress towards the signature and ratification of the EU-Mexico and EU-

Mercosur agreements; 

-  Complete  EU  Member  States’  ratification  of  the  agreements  with  Central  America  and 

Colombia, Peru and Ecuador and jointly consider targeted updates; 

-  Ensure  effective  implementation  of  all  the  trade  agreements  between  the  EU  and  Latin 
American  and  Caribbean  partners  including  through  technical  assistance  and  business 
involvement; 

8 COM(2023)165, 16.3.2023: ‘A secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials in support of the twin 
transition’. 

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-  Complete the EU-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement review process in order 
to identify operational tools, conclusions and recommendations for its better functioning;  

-  Step up dialogue on EU and LAC respective green transition policies and jointly address 

the impact of EU legislation, including providing support to facilitate trade;  

-  Strengthen  the  EU-LAC  collaboration  in  the  WTO,  in  particular  on  the  reform  of  the 

organisation and on negotiations of plurilateral agreements; 

-  Work with interested LAC countries on the future Critical Raw Materials Club. 

3.  Global Gateway and supporting partnerships for a fair green and digital transition 

EU-LAC  cooperation requires  innovative approaches based on  equal partnerships at all 
levels. The LAC region is made up mostly of middle-income countries and is rich in natural 
resources; however, large inequalities and structural challenges remain9, further exacerbated 
by overlapping crises. As a leading donor and investor in the region, the EU can draw on a 
wide  array  of  policy  tools,  instruments10  and  the  Team  Europe  approach,  which  associates 
Member States and EU financial institutions, to address both challenges and opportunities, and 
work  with  LAC  towards  a  fair  and  inclusive  green  and  digital  transitions  and  sustainable 
development, in line with the SDGs.  

Through Global Gateway11, the EU can leverage quality investments to help address LAC’s 
infrastructure needs, support the development of human capital, including empowerment of 
people, especially women, youth and the most vulnerable, and strengthen the enabling business 
and regulatory environment, with the aim of creating local added value, growth and quality 
jobs.  Global  Gateway  is  a  positive  and  values-based  investment  offer,  respecting  high 
international standards. It proposes a choice for a shared economic, social, and regulatory path 
based  on  a  human-centric  approach  and  the  principles  of  sustainability,  openness, 
inclusiveness, accountability and respect for fundamental rights.  

Global Gateway will boost and leverage private sector investments with concrete projects. LAC 
has  a  strong  baseline  for  Global  Gateway  cooperation:  there  are  already  substantial  EU 
investments,  and  both  regions  have  policy  agendas  based  on  shared  values.  The  Global 
Gateway  investment  agenda  will  therefore  identify  fair  green  and  digital  investment 
opportunities in LAC, which will benefit from the open and non-discriminatory environment 
generated by trade and investment agreements.  

a.  Cooperating for a fair green transition 

The climate emergency represents an existential challenge for humanity. The EU and LAC can 
make a major contribution to global cooperative efforts to meet this challenge.  

9 In 2022, 32.1% of the population in LAC (201 million people) lived in poverty and 13.1% (82 million) in 
extreme poverty (an increase of 12 million in extreme poverty compared to the pre-pandemic situation in 2019). 
10 The Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument–Global Europe (NDICI–Global 
Europe) offers a framework to engage with all LAC countries at regional and sub-regional levels to support the 
green transition through flagship cooperation programmes such as EUROCLIMA+, the Amazon Basin 
programme or the EU Caribbean Resilience-Building Facility.  
11 JOIN(2021) 30 final, 1.12.2021: ‘The Global Gateway’. 

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The LAC region has unique potential in terms of biodiversity, natural resources, sustainable 
renewable energies, agricultural production and strategic critical raw materials. It contains 50% 
of the planet’s biodiversity that is vital for its ecological balance, notably in the Amazon.12 The 
region  is  key  to  achieving  global  climate  and  environmental  objectives,  including  the 
implementation  of  the  Paris  Agreement,  the  Kunming-Montreal  Global  Biodiversity 
Framework,  the  High  Seas  Treaty  on  Marine  Biodiversity  Beyond  National  Jurisdiction 
(BBNJ) and the resolution for a Global Agreement on Plastic Pollution.  

There  is  significant  potential  for  cooperation  towards  climate  neutral,  clean  and  nature-
positive  economies.  Both  regions  are  committed  to  protecting  biodiversity,  halting 
deforestation, promoting more circular economies, improving waste and water management, 
increasing resource productivity, tackling pollution13 and investing in climate resilience. 

To meet these objectives, the EU and LAC should strengthen their partnership on the green 
transition,  including  through  Global  Gateway  investments,  increased  dialogue  and 
cooperation on policies and regulatory frameworks, and through the implementation of trade 
agreements and promoting relations with regional organisations14. The EU will engage with 
LAC  partners  on  the  impact  of  its  legislation  and  instruments  implementing  the  European 
Green Deal. 

In  the  energy  sector,  LAC’s  overall  electricity  generation  mix  has  the  largest  share  of 
renewables in the world, amounting to 61% in 202115. Several avenues of joint work can be 
pursued  to  reduce  reliance  on  fossil  fuels,  by  ramping  up  deployment  of  renewable  energy 
sources16  and  improving  energy  efficiency  (involving  energy  savings).  Moreover,  Global 
Gateway  investments  contribute  to  ensuring  secure  supply  of  affordable  and  clean  energy. 
There  is  potential  for  joint  investments  in  e-mobility,  increasing  safe  and  sustainable  air 
connectivity, and upgrading public transport systems and infrastructure, making them cleaner, 
more energy efficient and innovative. 

In addition, the EU and the LAC region are further strengthening their energy cooperation and 
collaboration  in  energy  matters,  both  on  bilateral  basis,  as  in  multilateral  fora17,  including 
through Memoranda of Understanding on green transition including hydrogen18.  

Several  LAC  countries  being  highly  vulnerable  to  climate  change,  the  EU  will  continue  to 
support effective national climate change adaptation strategies and support at bi-regional level 
communities against damages caused by natural hazards, building on existing initiatives19. The 
EU remains committed to continue supporting disaster preparedness programmes, as well as 
to step up the overall cooperation in the area of disaster risk management, and exchange best 
practices.  

12 UNEP (2016) Biodiversity in Latin America and the Caribbean. 
13 For example, Brazil is reactivating the Amazon Fund to support sustainable development, forest protection 
and human rights. 
14 Such as the Amazon Treaty Cooperation Organisation. 
15 OECD/ECLAC/European Commission/CAF (2022) Latin American Economic Outlook 2022: Towards a 
green and just transition. 
16 Including water, wind and solar, also offering opportunities to produce renewable hydrogen as energy carrier. 
17 Such as the OLADE (Latin-American Energy Organisation). 
18 Promoting the development of rules-based, transparent, and undistorted global hydrogen markets based on 
reliable international standards and certification schemes, including through the European Hydrogen Bank. 
19 Such as the Caribbean Disaster Risk Reduction Programme and the EU LAC Dialogue on Wildfire 
Management. 

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Closer cooperation with LAC on the effective implementation of the UN Convention of the 
Law of the Sea and its implementing agreements would create conditions for sustainable ocean 
management, including the designation of a representative system of marine protected areas in 
Antarctica, the implementation of the BBNJ and safety of navigation. Enhanced cooperation is 
also  needed  in  the  fight  against  illegal,  unreported  and  unregulated  fishing,  as  well  as  in 
regional and multilateral organisations related to oceans, including  on fisheries, and  for  the 
development of scientific knowledge and advice.  

The LAC region is developing a framework for sustainable finance taxonomy, which is key 
to  supporting  efforts  for  regional  and  global  interoperability  and  attracting  international 
investors, as is developing credible green bond frameworks.  

Support  for  decarbonisation  policies  worldwide,  particularly  among  major  emitters,  is  a 
priority to achieve global climate neutrality by 2050. The EU has long been supporting carbon-
pricing policies. Based on the emissions profile of LAC, there is a clear interest to jointly focus 
on mitigation actions in agriculture, transport, forestry and energy.  

As  the  transition  towards  a  green  economy  picks  up  pace,  the  demand  for  critical  raw 
materials  (CRMs)  is  projected  to  rise  exponentially.  Long-term  access  to  a  secure  and 
sustainable supply is emerging as a shared challenge for the global community. LAC is rich in 
CRMs and will play a pivotal role in securing a timely transition that improves its productive 
and export capacity, adding value to natural resources through innovation and technology20 and 
high environmental, social and governance standards.  

Both regions would benefit from closer cooperation, dialogue, diversification and investment 
in order to meet growing demand, ensure reliable access to resources, develop and improve the 
resilience of value chains and ensure high environmental and social standards. In line with the 
2023 CRM Communication21, the EU will pursue mutually beneficial strategic partnerships 
with a view to promoting LAC countries’ economic development in a sustainable manner and 
support value chain creation.  

The  EU  and  LAC  should  cooperate  bilaterally  and  multilaterally  in  view  of  full  and  swift 
implementation  of  the  Paris  Agreement,  the  Kunming-Montreal  Global  Biodiversity 
Framework, and the BBNJ Treaty. 

Proposed Key Actions, including under Global Gateway: 

- 

Jointly  drive  forward,  as  part  of  the  Global  Gateway  investment  agenda,  the 
implementation  of  green  investment  projects22  and  reinforce  cooperation  under  regional 
Team Europe Initiatives23; 

-  Step up the fight against forest and biodiversity loss and forest degradation, in particular in 
the Amazon and the Five Great Forests of Mesoamerica, through dedicated Team Europe 
Initiatives; 

20 For instance, Argentina, Bolivia and Chile alone hold 60% of identified lithium reserves  
21 COM(2023)165, 16.3.2023: ‘A secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials in support of the twin 
transition’. 
22 Such as on the production of renewable hydrogen in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and on sustainable urban 
mobility in the Dominican Republic. 
23 Such as the Team Europe Initiative on Green Transition. 

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-  Conclude  Memoranda  of  Understanding  on  energy  and  explore  mutually  beneficial 

partnerships as envisaged under the EU’s new Critical Raw Materials strategy; 

-  Reinforce  dialogue  through  regular  bi-regional  ministerial  meetings  and  dialogues  on 
environment  and  climate  change;  explore  the  establishment  of  a  dialogue  on  energy 
transition and step up bilateral dialogues on climate, environment and energy; 

-  Strengthen cooperation towards ambitious outcomes at future Conferences of Parties, in 
particular  of  the  United  Nations  Framework  Convention  on  Climate  Change  and  the 
Convention on Biological Diversity;  

-  Promote  the  development  of  interoperable  sustainable  finance  frameworks,  including 
taxonomies, and the development of green bond markets to attract investors and support 
the transition to a low carbon economy; 

-  Advance cooperation on circular economy24 in the relevant fora, including G20 and UN 

Environment Agency; 

-  Promote exchanges and actions in favour of green energy transition, including renewable 

hydrogen;  

-  Conclude  Memoranda  of  Understanding  on  cooperation  on  disaster  preparedness  and 

disaster risk management between EU and competent bodies in LAC25; 

-  Strengthen actions in  relation to digital transition and cooperation on early warning and 

monitoring systems for forest degradation/deforestation and wildfires26. 

b.  Joining forces for an inclusive and human-centric digital transformation  

The EU and LAC have a joint interest in pursuing digital policies that empower people and 
businesses to seize a human-centric, sustainable, and more prosperous digital future. In line 
with the goal of the EU’s Digital Compass27 to establish international digital partnerships, the 
EU-LAC Digital Alliance was launched in March 2023 as an informal framework based on 
shared values and principles28 to develop bi-regional dialogue and cooperation across the full 
spectrum of digital issues. The Alliance builds on a set of flagship projects implemented in a 
Team  Europe  approach29  and  complements  the  digital  policy  dialogues  with  individual 
countries. 

Digital transformation and connectivity are major challenges for the region. Through Global 
Gateway,  the  Alliance  will  promote  investment  in  the  rollout  of  secure  and  resilient  digital 
infrastructure,  and  support  partners  in  addressing  digital  divides,  including  through  the 

24 Such as the LAC Circular Economy Coalition, the Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource 
Efficiency. 
25 Including Coordination Centre for Disaster Prevention in Central America (CEPREDENAC), Caribbean 
Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Andean Committee for Disaster Prevention and Care 
(CAPRADE) and Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities for Integral Management of Disaster Risk 
(RMAGIR). 
26 As in the Team Europe Initiative on the Amazon Basin.  
27 COM(2021)118 final, 9.3.2021: ‘2030 Digital Compass: the European way for the Digital Decade’. 
28 As reflected in the Iberoamerican Charter of Digital Rights and Principles whose values are very much 
aligned with the European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles. 
29 The establishment of a bi-regional digital policy dialogue, the expansion of the BELLA programme (BELLA 
II), the implementation of a regional Copernicus strategy, and the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator to foster 
entrepreneurship and innovation. 

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provision of public services such as education and healthcare. An enhanced engagement from 
European  financial  institutions,  in  particular  the  European  Investment  Bank,  on  digital 
connectivity will be important to achieve this goal. 

Regulatory  dialogue  is  important  to  boost  digital  compatibility.  Both  regions  will  engage 
regionally  and  bilaterally  across  areas  of  joint  interest,  including  secure  5G  rollout,  digital 
markets  and  services  regulation,  Artificial  Intelligence  (AI)  for  the  public  good,  high 
performance computing, data governance and cybersecurity. 

Another area where convergence can bring benefits to the two regions is the promotion of free 
and  safe  data  flows.  This  includes  actively  engaging  with  partners  to  reach  an  ‘adequacy 
finding’, as it is already the case with some LAC countries. Such arrangements can amplify the 
benefits of trade agreements and boost cooperation in other areas such as, for example, research 
or  law  enforcement  cooperation.  As  several  partners  in  the  region  have  adopted  or  are 
implementing modern data protection laws, this presents new opportunities to facilitate data 
flows. Both regions should step up their dialogue in regional organisations and networks that 
are playing an increasing role in shaping common data protection standards. 

The  EU  and  LAC  should  join  forces  to  promote  their  vision  of  a  digital  transformation  in 
multilateral  fora30,  guided  notably  by  the  European  Declaration  on  Digital  Rights  and 
Principles for the Digital Decade31, the eLAC Digital Agenda 202432 and the Declaration for 
the Future of the Internet33. This digital transformation should also be leveraged to increase 
digital skills, in particular for youth and children. 

Space also offers opportunities for collaboration. Space-based data, services and applications 
can  contribute  positively  to  the  delivery  of  the  objectives  related  to  the  green  and  digital 
transition  and  sustainable  economic  growth.  In  2021,  CELAC  agreed  to  establish  the  Latin 
American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE), which could benefit from Europe’s expertise 
in multi-country space governance. Collaboration is already ongoing in the context of the EU’s 
Copernicus Earth Observation programme, and there is potential for more cooperation under 
Copernicus  and  the  EU’s  Galileo  satellite  navigation  programme.  Both  regions  should 
reinforce ongoing cooperation on the development of information systems to support evidence-
based policies and adaptation measures, including on disaster management. 

Proposed Key Actions, including under Global Gateway: 

- 

Jointly develop, as part of the Global Gateway investment agenda, investment projects for 
an inclusive digital transition34;  

-  Develop joint actions35 under the EU-LAC Digital Alliance, enhance regional and bilateral 

dialogues on digital policy and promote regulatory convergence; 

30 Including in the context of the WTO e-commerce Joint Statement Initiative.  
31 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32023C0123(01)&from=EN  
32 https://www.cepal.org/en/projects/digital-agenda-latin-america-and-caribbean-elac2024  
33 https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/declaration-future-internet  
34 Such as on the digital economy package, in support of the peace process in Colombia, deployment of 5G in 
the Dominican Republic, Amazon connectivity in Brazil, and digital connectivity initiatives in Jamaica and 
Costa Rica. 
35 Including expansion of the BELLA programme and its use cases, and the roll-out of a regional Copernicus 
strategy. 

10 

 
                                                           
-  Drive forward the extension of the sub-sea BELLA fibre-optic cable (BELLA II) to reach 

Central America and the Caribbean36; 

-  Roll out a regional Copernicus strategy including the two regional Copernicus data centres 

in Panama and Chile; 

-  Explore new adequacy decisions with LAC countries and other arrangements to ensure the 

free and safe exchange of personal data; 

-  Foster contacts and support between the EU and ALCE to collaborate on space activities 

and contribute to the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space. 

c.  Promoting sustainable economic growth for human development 

People  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic  aspire  to  live  in  inclusive  and  prosperous  societies, 
leaving no one behind. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war of aggression against 
Ukraine have exacerbated existing structural challenges and inequalities, leading to increasing 
levels of poverty, debt, and food insecurity37.  

It is in both regions’ interest to step up joint efforts towards a robust and sustainable recovery 
that promotes equality and social inclusion. The EU and LAC should intensify cooperation to 
address  persistent  macroeconomic  challenges,  diversify  and  modernise  the  economies  and 
increase their resilience to future shocks. 

The EU can contribute to LAC’s diversification into higher value-added sectors, seizing the 
potential of emerging green, blue, creative and digital economies. Increased policy dialogue, a 
strengthened  EU-LAC  trade  agenda  and  Global  Gateway  can  contribute  to  scaling  up 
sustainable  bi-regional  investments  and  resilient  supply  chains  that  benefit  the  people. 
Increasing  productivity,  innovation,  and  job  creation,  in  particular  for  LAC  SMEs,  and 
promoting  smart  specialisation  and  innovation  policies,  the  transition  to  circular  and 
sustainable production and consumption systems as well as sustainable and deforestation-free 
value chains are important objectives. 

LAC has made its mark on the innovation landscape in recent years, with a growing number of 
Latin American companies achieving ‘unicorn’ status.38 Higher education institutions have a 
key role to  play notably in  supporting innovation  and entrepreneurship in  their surrounding 
communities by building bridges with local entrepreneurs, SMEs, research institutes, and civil 
society. 

In  line  with  the  Global  Approach  to  Research  and  Innovation39,  increased  cooperation  in 
research  and  innovation,  including  through  making  full  use  of  opportunities  under  the 

36 The first phase of BELLA built a direct fibre-optic link between Europe and Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador 
and Panama. BELLA II aims to extend the connection to Peru, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, 
the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago. 
37 According to ECLAC (2021, 2022) LAC is the region with the largest external debt relative to GDP (56.3%) 
and the highest external debt service relative to exports and growth (59%). In 2020, the prevalence of 
undernourishment reached 9.1%, a level not seen in the region since 2005. 
38 https://www.bbva.com/en/latin-americas-roadmap-to-innovation-the-most-enterprising-cities  
39 COM(2021)252 final, 18.5.2021: ‘The Global Approach to Research and Innovation Europe’s strategy for 
international cooperation in a changing world’. 

11 

 
                                                           
Horizon Europe programme40, is essential for finding and delivering the solutions needed for 
a  fair  twin  transition.  The  EU-CELAC  Strategic  Roadmap  for  Research  and  Innovation41 
provides a framework to strengthen researcher mobility and cooperation in areas such as ocean 
research, circular economy, clean energy, research infrastructures, biodiversity and access to 
vaccines and medicines42. 

Advancing human development is a shared priority. Joint work to promote social cohesion 
and tackling inequalities should be accelerated, focusing on the economic empowerment and 
inclusion  of  women,  youth,  indigenous  peoples,  LGBTIQ+  persons  and  persons  with 
disabilities. Cooperation on access to quality education for all children and youth, vocational 
training  and  skills  development  that  align  with  employment  needs  will  be  key  to  provide 
opportunities to all.  

Both  regions  should  prioritise  standards,  corporate  social  responsibility,  and  responsible 
business conduct. The EU and its Member States can share their experience in strengthening 
social protection systems  and fostering effective social and  tripartite dialogue.  The EU  will 
continue to work with LAC partners to use trade agreements as instruments for sustainable and 
inclusive economic development. 

Joint  efforts to  develop  One Health actions and  to  strengthen health security have become 
more relevant, in line with the new EU Global Health Strategy43. For example, the ‘EU-LAC 
Partnership on manufacturing vaccines, medicines and health technologies and strengthening 
health resilience in Latin America’44 complements and supports regional efforts, notably the 
CELAC Health Self-Sufficiency Plan45. 

As major food producers, both regions share a responsibility for  global food security46. To 
mitigate  the  vulnerability  of  production  systems  to  climate  and  other  shocks  and  minimise 
negative  impacts  on  the  planet’s  ecosystems,  both  regions  should  step  up  cooperation  on 
sustainable  food  systems  including  on  antimicrobial  resistance,  pesticide  use,  soil  health, 
livestock emissions, agro-forestry and food waste.  

Proposed Key Actions, including under Global Gateway: 

- 

Jointly develop, as part of the Global Gateway investment agenda, investment projects to 
support sustainable economic growth for human development47; 

40 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-
calls/horizon-europe_en  
41 https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2021-07/eu-celac_strategic-roadmap-2021-2023.pdf; to be 
reviewed and updated by Senior Officials in 2024. 
42 COM(2021)252 final, 18.5.2021: ‘The Global Approach to Research and Innovation Europe’s strategy for 
international cooperation in a changing world’. 
43 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7153 
44 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_3890 
45 https://www.cepal.org/en/publications/47253-plan-self-sufficiency-health-matters-latin-america-and-
caribbean-lines-action-and 
46 The LAC region account for 14% of global food production and 45% of net international agri-food trade. 
Agri-food systems in LAC account for close to half of total employment and 30-40% of GDP (FAC, 2021). 
47 Such as on health system resilience in Barbados and Mexico and water and sanitation management in Ecuador 
and Guatemala. 

12 

 
                                                           
-  Mobilise  the  regional  Team  Europe  Initiative  on  Inclusive  Societies,  including  a  new 
enhanced  EUROsociAL  programme  also  covering  education,  as  well  as  country  Team 
Europe Initiatives for social inclusion, with a particular focus on women and youth; 

-  Boost  Erasmus+  for  EU-LAC  academic  cooperation  in  higher  education  and  vocational 

training and SOCIEUX+ on social protection, labour rights and employment; 

- 

Jointly develop further actions under the EU-LAC Health partnership, including support 
for  Global  Gateway  investments  in,  inter  alia,  vaccine  and  medicines  manufacturing, 
digital health, health technologies and health system strengthening; 

-  Reinforce the participation of LAC in the Horizon Europe programme and work towards 

EU-LAC Research & Innovation ministerial meeting;  

-  Enhance exchanges on macroeconomic developments and the appropriate policy strategies 

to secure strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive global growth;  

-  Strengthening  cooperation  activities  on  smart  specialisation  and  place-based  innovation 

policies. 

4.  Joining  forces  for  justice,  citizen  security  and  the  fight  against  transnational 

organised crime 

The  EU  and  LAC  face  common  challenges  around  security  and  justice,  which  call  for 
strengthening  the  bi-regional  partnership  and  cooperation  at  all  levels.  Security  is  a  major 
concern for LAC citizens. Organised crime, including trafficking in human beings, in particular 
women and children, drugs and arms trafficking, illicit wildlife and timber trade, as well as 
corruption,  financial  crime,  and  environmental  and  cyber-crime  remain  insidious  threats  to 
people, societies and economies.  

LAC countries are changing the way they address security challenges, focusing increasingly 
on  preventive  approaches,  such  as  police  and  judicial  reforms,  community  and  proximity 
policing,  and  youth  and  gender  violence  reduction.  This  tallies  with  the  concept  of  human 
security  and  the  EU  approach  to  citizen  security.  There  is  scope  for  EU-LAC  cooperation, 
combining the fight against crime with a preventive dimension  based on addressing its root 
causes.  

Bi-regional political initiatives and programmes already provide a solid basis to facilitate 
cooperation on transnational  organised crime, building bridges between justice and security 
institutions based on the rule of law and on a high level of protection for fundamental rights 
including data protection. The strengthening of programmes and Team Europe Initiatives will 
significantly  contribute  to  the  operationalisation  of  EU-LAC  cooperation  in  this  area,  by 
building institutional capacity and promoting common standards. Another critical element of 
our  shared  agenda  on  justice  and  security  would  be  the  conclusion  of  agreements  and 
arrangements with LAC countries on cooperation with Eurojust and Europol48.  

The EU should also step up its engagement with regional organisations, such as Ameripol, 
which play a growing role in establishing joint principles and approaches. Both regions should 

48 The Council has authorised the opening of negotiations for Eurojust cooperation agreements with Argentina, 
Brazil and Colombia; and has also authorised the opening of negotiations for Europol cooperation agreements 
with Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru.  

13 

 
                                                           
promote  the  ratification  and  implementation  of  the  relevant  international  conventions  to 
facilitate international judicial and law enforcement cooperation. 

Proposed Key Actions: 

-  Strengthen the EU-LAC Partnership on Justice and Security, building on programmes49 and 

the regional Team Europe Initiative; 

-  Support  further  capacity  development  and  cooperation  with  the  Latin  America  Internal 
Security Committee (CLASI) and the Police Community of the Americas (AMERIPOL); 

-  Further develop the close cooperation on drugs policy between both regions and step up 
efforts  to  address  drugs  demand  and  supply  reduction,  including  through  high-level 
dialogue under the EU-CELAC Coordination and Cooperation Mechanism on Drugs and 
strengthening the resilience of logistical hubs; 

-  Step up efforts to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings, and protect and support 

the victims of this crime; 

-  Step up the cooperation between asset recovery offices and financial intelligence units by 

facilitating the exchange of information;  

-  Conclude  further  international  agreements  and  working  arrangements  with  Europol  and 

Eurojust; 

-  Enhance cooperation on cybersecurity and cybercrime expertise to support Latin American 
and Caribbean countries, including through the regional Cyber Competence Centre LAC4 
in the Dominican Republic. 

5.  Working  together  to  promote  peace  and  security,  democracy,  rule  of  law,  human 

rights and humanitarian aid 

Democracy and human rights are at the heart of the EU-LAC partnership. The EU works 
together with LAC to protect and promote human rights, both civil and political and economic, 
social and cultural, through a wide range of mechanisms, including bilateral dialogues, capacity 
building  for  civil  society  and  education50.  Both  regions  are  committed  to  strengthening  the 
multilateral human rights system, and to cooperating regionally.  

EU and LAC should intensify their dialogue and cooperation in the fight against discrimination, 
promoting gender equality, and upholding the rights of the child and of vulnerable persons, 
minorities,  indigenous  peoples,  LGBTIQ+  persons,  persons  with  disabilities,  migrants,  and 
refugees, as well as those affected by conflict and violence.  

The  protection  of  human  rights  defenders  and  journalists  should  be  addressed  more 
prominently, as should the new challenges posed by digital technologies, including through 
boosting digital and media literacy. Environmental rights defenders have been under particular 
threat in parts of the region. EU and LAC share a vision of the equal role of women in society 
and should join forces to promote it and eradicate gender-based violence.  

A  critical  joint  task  will  be  to  strengthen  democracy,  including  accountability,  electoral 
resilience, respect for the rule of law and judicial independence, and building resilience against 

49 Notably El PAcCTO 2.0, COPOLAD, EUROFRONT and the Global Illicit Flows Programme. 
50 For instance, through the Global Campus on Human Rights and its hub in Argentina. 

14 

 
                                                           
disinformation and emerging hybrid threats as well as greater participation of youth and women 
and meaningful space for civil society. EU and LAC should discuss these issues as well as best 
practices in relation to, for instance, rights of victims, witnesses and prisoners.  EU Election 
Observation Missions and their recommendations are key tools to help bolster the capacity of 
independent government institutions51. The EU will continue to cooperate with LAC countries 
to promote the universality of the Rome Statute and support the International Criminal Court 
(ICC). 

The EU’s lifesaving assistance can contribute to making societies in LAC more resilient. The 
EU will continue to work with key actors in LAC for the implementation of humanitarian aid 
programmes and emergency response, including through civil protection cooperation. Health, 
protection, education in emergencies and food security remain key areas of work. The EU will 
continue its support and advocacy efforts for the humanitarian crises impacting LAC, including 
by co-hosting donors’ and solidarity conferences. 

Through  its  different  peace,  stability  and  security  instruments,  the  EU  will  continue  to 
contribute to peaceful and democratic solutions, including the peace process in Colombia, the 
International Contact Group on Venezuela, mediation efforts in Bolivia and addressing Haiti’s 
crisis. 

The EU and LAC should also partner to promote global peace and security. In line with the 
EU Strategic Compass52, the engagement of the two regions could be deepened, for instance 
through the conclusion of Framework Participation Agreements53 (FPAs) and participation in 
EU operations in third countries. Cooperation on security and defence, including maritime 
and  space,  as  well  as  counterterrorism,  cybersecurity  and  tackling  hybrid  threats,  non-
proliferation and disarmament are also important areas for joint action.  

Both  regions  should  also  explore  cooperation  on  combatting  foreign  information 
manipulation and interference through new tools aimed at identifying, analysing, assessing 
and countering information manipulation.  

Proposed Key Actions: 

-  Reinforce  cooperation  to  enhance  respect  for  human  rights  for  all,  including  economic, 
social and cultural rights, rights of the child, as well as to promote non-discrimination and 
gender  equality;  intensify  consultation  and  cooperation  with  the  Inter-American  Human 
Rights System; contribute to reinforcing democratic principles, peace and the rule of law, 
including through inclusive dialogue and mediation; 

-  Step up efforts to empower women and girls and eradicate gender-based violence54 as well 

as violence against children;  

-  Enhance  cooperation  on  accountability  for  international  crimes,  including  through  joint 

initiatives in support of the ICC; 

51 Since 2019, the EU has deployed eight Election Observation Missions and six Election Expert Missions to 
LAC countries, at their request.  
52 A Strategic Compass for EU Security and Defence, Council of the European Union, 21.3.2022. 
53 FPAs have already been signed with Chile, Colombia and Peru. 
54 Such as the LAC component of the Spotlight Initiative, as well as a variety of national and regional actions in 
support of legislative changes, implementation capacities, etc. 

15 

 
                                                           
-  Continue political and financial support in the response to human-induced crises and natural 

hazards, including on migration and displacement crises; 

-  Support  the  implementation  of  the  innovative  Regional  Agreement  on  Access  to 
Information,  Public  Participation  and Justice in  Environmental  Matters in Latin America 
and the Caribbean (‘Escazú Agreement’), notably through El PAcCTO 2.0; 

-  Explore possibilities for new tailored partnerships in security and defence; 

-  Enhance cooperation, identify joint actions and share best practices with LAC partners to 
counter foreign information manipulation and interference, including in electoral processes. 

6.  Building a vibrant EU-LAC people-to-people partnership  

People are at the centre of our partnership and all actions should aim at delivering  tangible 
benefits for citizens. The relationship between the EU and LAC includes unique human and 
cultural links that should be nurtured and intensified. Youth is key for the future of EU-LAC 
relations.  Closer  connections  between  younger  generations  can  be  fostered  through  cultural 
initiatives and mobility programmes, in line with the first-ever EU Youth Action Plan55.  

The EU and LAC have a common stake in developing the human capital needed to match the 
demands of rapidly changing technologies, and the fair, green and digital transition. In the area 
of mobility, most LAC countries already enjoy short stay visa-free access to the EU’s Schengen 
Area.  LAC  citizens  can  also  benefit  from  existing  legal  migration  opportunities  to  the  EU. 
Furthermore, Erasmus+  and Horizon Europe, and in particular the Marie Skłodowska-Curie 
Actions, provide a framework for cooperation to step up research and innovation, as does the 
Research  Mobility  Pillar  under  the  EU-CELAC  2021–2023  Strategic  Roadmap,  including 
researchers and students mobility. 

Both  regions  should  work  together  to  maximise  the  potential  of  their  diverse  cultural 
expressions, heritage, vibrant creative industries for sustainable development and intercultural 
dialogue.  

Parliamentary  diplomacy  is  a  key  component  of  the  bi-regional  relationship,  including 
through the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat). Other institutions such 
as the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and their LAC 
counterparts can mobilise regional and local authorities as well as economic and social partners 
to enhance people-to-people contacts.  

The EU and LAC should foster close engagement with civil society and think tanks, including 
through  the  EU-LAC  Foundation,  which  has  established  itself  as  a  relevant  actor  in  the  bi-
regional relationship.  

Both  regions  share  a  responsibility  to  better  and  pro-actively  inform  their  citizens  and 
stakeholders about mutual benefits of their partnership.  

55 JOIN(2022) 53 final, 4.10.2022: ‘Youth Action Plan (YAP) in EU external action 2022–2027. Promoting 
meaningful youth participation and empowerment in EU external action for sustainable development, equality 
and peace’. 

16 

 
                                                           
Proposed Key Actions: 

- 

- 

Increase engagement with youth in LAC through initiatives such as country-level Youth 
Sounding Boards; 

Intensify collaboration on education and research under Erasmus+, including Jean Monnet 
Actions,  Horizon  Europe,  including  ‘Marie  Skłodowska-Curie’  Actions,  as  well  as  the 
European Institute of Innovation Technology; 

-  Step up cooperation on mobility of people between the two regions56 and foster mutually 
beneficial mobility arrangements with partners promoting circular mobility and countering 
brain drain, drawing on the Skills and Talents package;  

-  Deepen  bi-regional  cultural  relations  and  encourage  intercultural  networks  and  joint 

initiatives57; 

-  Foster  the  active  participation  of  civil  society  and  building  of  bi-regional  networks, 

including of women and youth in business, politics, science and other fields; 

-  Strengthen the role of the EU-LAC Foundation in the bi-regional dialogue; 

-  Work towards a joint approach for communication and public diplomacy.  

Conclusion 

The proposed New Agenda for EU-LAC relations calls for a closer and modernised strategic 
partnership between both regions, with people at its centre. 

By strengthening the partnership between two regions that are among the world’s most closely 
aligned in terms of interests and values, EU and LAC will be better placed to confront global 
challenges and seize opportunities for mutual benefit. In a world of giants, the EU and LAC 
together represent 14% of the world’s population and 21% of global GDP. To ensure peace 
and  prosperity  for  their  respective  citizens  and  exert  influence  over  the  future  international 
rules-based  order,  forging  a  closer  partnership  that  bolsters  their  collective  strength  is  a 
strategic imperative. 

Achieving this goal will require more cooperation on both sides, including through reinforced 
political engagement, boosting trade and investment, and building more sustainable and 
inter-connected societies, in particular with Global Gateway. The EU will strive to mobilise 
its policies, instruments and resources in a Team Europe approach. The upcoming EU-CELAC 
Summit  offers  a  great  opportunity  to  build  trust  and  inject  momentum  into  the  EU-LAC 
relationship to become partners of choice. 

The European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and 
Security Policy call on the Council and the European Parliament to endorse the New Agenda 
presented  in  this  Joint  Communication  and  to  work  together  with  Latin  America  and  the 
Caribbean for a renewed strategic partnership on the basis of this proposal. 

56 Including on regular channels of migration, compliance with Schengen visa waiver requirements and 
reciprocal facilitation of visa issuance, including for students and researchers. 
57 Such as the EU’s participation as guest of honour in the 2023 International Book Fair in Guadalajara, Mexico. 

17