Debate: “The Road to ” - Towards a stronger EU-Latin America partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2023
Speaker: Didier Reynders
Language: EN

2023 will be an important year for the EU’s relations with Latin America and the Caribbean. The region is too often approached through the prism of crises and upheavals. We are following closely developments in Brazil, Haiti, Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela, among others. However, at this geopolitical juncture, we should have a broader strategic perspective for the region. This is the focus of this debate.  The pandemic, geopolitical tensions, the war against Ukraine and challenges in the region reinforce the need for a qualitative leap in our relationship. On both sides of the Atlantic, we want to strengthen our autonomy. In economic terms, for instance, we all want to avoid excessive dependencies and diversify value chains.  But autonomy does not mean isolation. We need cooperation and agreements with reliable economic and political partners to face the three challenges of the 21st century: climate change, the technological revolution and social cohesion.  My main message today is that, in these turbulent and unpredictable times, Latin America and the EU need each other more than ever. We start from solid foundations. Latin America and the Caribbean is a region of the world with which we have one of the densest networks of agreements, 27 out of 33 countries. The European Union is the third-largest destination for exports coming from the region, and the first investor in the region. The European Union, together with its Member States, is also the largest contributor of development aid.  Let me also recall the nearly unanimous condemnation by the states of the region of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in the United Nations General Assembly. The Latin American and Caribbean countries and the EU countries together represent more than a third of the United Nations. We share values, culture, languages, deep political economic and family ties, and we must look to our future together.  That is why the European Union has proposed a new Road Map 2023. It is based on four lines of action in which you, as parliamentarians, also have an important role to play. First, stepping up the political dialogue. Last October, the first bi-regional ministerial meeting since 2018 took place in Buenos Aires, co-chaired by Josep Borrell. We agreed on a joint road map until the end of 2023, including the organisation of a bi-regional summit, the first since 2015. A Europe-led parliamentary assembly is highlighted in the roadmap as a key element of the democratic debate.  Second, line of action – advancing with the EU agreements with the region. After the recent conclusion of negotiations for the modernisation of the agreement with Chile, we must try to finalise the one with Mexico, ensure the full ratification of the agreement with Central America, complete the agreement with Mercosur, and move towards the signing of the post-Cotonou Agreement with the Caribbean.  Third, we need to strengthen our alliance on shared political priorities and on major global challenges that we need to tackle together. The green and digital transitions, of course, but also social cohesion. The twin green and digital transitions will either be democratic and fair order, or they will not be. We must not leave anyone behind. Economic growth is not enough. The EU’s global gateway will accompany this new agenda, supporting sustainable investment that reinforces our connections and help to strengthen our resilience.  Co-investment is offered in digital, green, health, transport, education and research areas, always on the basis of core values and advanced social and environmental standards. This distinguishes the European model from others. Fourth, and perhaps most importantly, the promotion of peace, democracy and human rights. Democracy is in decline around the world. If we want to defeat autocratic threats and improve our democracies as spaces of freedom and justice, we must cooperate and join forces with other democracies.  We cannot forget that Latin American societies are suffering in the face of poverty, inequality and violence. It is estimated that one in three Latin Americans are living in poverty and one in six is in extreme poverty. Defending democracy also means enhancing our work together in favour of inclusive, just and sustainable development. In short, this region is much more than an economic partner and a market of growing importance. It is a region where crucial EU interests are at stake for the coming decades.  I thank the European Parliament for its support for this vision and the need to reinforce all ties with Latin America and the Caribbean at all levels.