EU-CELAC Summit, 17 and 18 July, 2023
Main Results
Eight years after their last meeting, the leaders of the EU and the leaders of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) met in Brussels for the third EU-CELAC summit.
The summit was co-chaired by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the pro tempore President of CELAC and Prime Minister of Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves.
At the summit, EU and CELAC leaders pledged to renew their already deep-rooted partnership, which is based on common values and interests and close economic, social and cultural ties.
The leaders discussed a wide range of issues to strengthen the partnership, including:
- strengthening cooperation in multilateral forums,
- world peace and security,
- trade and investment
- work to combat climate change,
- justice and security for citizens.
At the end of the summit they have adopted a Declaration that has been endorsed by all the countries except one, due to their disagreement with a section, and they have agreed to hold summits every two years.
- 2023 EU-CELAC Summit Declaration
- President Charles Michel's observations at the EU-CELAC Summit press conference
The EU-CELAC roadmap for the period 2023-2025 was also presented at the Summit, and a meeting of the leaders of the EU and the Caribbean was held in parallel.
Multilateralism
The leaders reaffirmed that the foundation of the EU-CELAC partnership is a shared commitment to democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, inclusive multilateralism and international cooperation in line with the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and international law.
Together, the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean represent more than a third of the membership of the United Nations and are an engine for a strong rules-based multilateral system.
In this context, the leaders have committed to:
- fight against discrimination and gender violence;
- promote fundamental labor rights and core labor standards;
- promote gender equality;
- promote the rights of indigenous peoples, the rights of the child, the rights of human rights defenders, and the rights of people in vulnerable situations and Afro-descendants;
- enhance cooperation in international financial institutions and multilateral organizations.
The leaders have deeply regretted the unimaginable suffering inflicted on millions of men, women and children as a result of the transatlantic slave trade.
World peace and security
A strong EU-CELAC partnership will act as a common positive factor to promote stability and peace in the world and face global and regional security challenges.
The EU and CELAC defend the sovereign equality of all States and respect for their territorial integrity and political independence, as well as the settlement of disputes by peaceful means and in accordance with justice and international law.
In this regard, the leaders:
- expressed their deep concern about the ongoing war against Ukraine, as well as their support for a just and lasting peace and the Black Sea Grain Export Initiative;
- called for continued efforts to support the dialogue process in Haiti in view of the deteriorating public security and humanitarian situation in the country;
- recalled their support for the peace process in Colombia and the 2016 Peace Agreement;
- encouraged constructive dialogue in the Venezuela-led negotiations in Mexico City;
- recalled their opposition to legal and regulatory provisions with extraterritorial effect in view of the blockade imposed against Cuba.
Background information:
Climate change and sustainable development
Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to protect our planet and fight climate change, to continue efforts to keep the global 1.5ºC target within reach, and to lead the charge towards a sustainable economy.
They have committed to cooperate to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and environmental degradation and to accelerate the application of agreements, conventions and treaties on:
- the Sustainable Development Goals,
- combating climate change,
- biodiversity,
- desertification,
- protection of the oceans.
Background information: EU climate objectives and foreign policy
Trade and inverstment
EU-CELAC relations: facts and figures (see complete infographic)
Leaders recognized the importance of open and fair trade, productive supply chains and access to markets, as well as their contribution to sustainable development. Cooperation on critical raw materials and rare earth metals is particularly important in this regard.
The EU, Latin America and the Caribbean have one of the most dense trade networks in the world, with total trade in goods and services reaching €369 billion by 2022. Building on this strong foundation, Leaders welcomed the ongoing work on EU-Chile and EU-Mexico trade agreements, and discussed how to further strengthen economic and trade links between the regions. They have also taken note of the ongoing work between the EU and Mercosur.
Leaders further recognized the potential contribution of the EU-LAC Global Gateway investment agenda, which will address investment gaps and mobilize finance for areas such as sustainable development, digital transformation, health infrastructure and energy production.
Background information:
- EU - Latin America and Caribbean trade in figures
- Global Gateway: Latin America and the Caribbean
- Global Gateway investment agenda with Latin America and the Caribbean
- EU Trade policy
Digital Transformation
Leaders highlighted the importance of promoting a responsible, human-centred, values-based and inclusive digital transformation.
In this regard, they highlighted the need to protect privacy rights, increase digital connectivity and cybersecurity, bridge digital divides and help build trust in the digital economy.
In parallel to the summit, a Joint Declaration on a Digital Alliance has been agreed in order to promote cooperation on digital issues for the benefit of citizens.
Justice and citizen security
The leaders have agreed to consolidate and strengthen their partnership on justice and security and to combat organized crime in all its forms, as well as corruption and money laundering.
The leaders have also taken note of the enormous challenges faced and the efforts made by countries to combat international crime, in particular against illicit drug trafficking, arms trafficking and trafficking in human beings.
Sanitary resilience
The EU and CELAC committed to promoting work on the local manufacture of vaccines, medicines and health technologies. They will also collaborate to strengthen the resilience of health systems to improve prevention, preparedness and response to public health emergencies. In this sense, the leaders hope that there will be progress regarding the new legally binding instrument of the World Health Organization, which it wants to agree on by May 2024 at the latest.
Background information: International agreement on pandemic prevention and preparedness
Previous Summits
At the previous Summit, held in Brussels in 2015, leaders agreed to work together for more prosperous, cohesive and inclusive societies.
The first EU-CELAC Summit was held in Santiago de Chile in 2013, and was dedicated to collaboration in trade-related matters and the promotion of investment with social and environmental quality.
About CELAC
Created in 2010, CELAC is a regional bloc of 33 Latin American and Caribbean States. Its objective is to unite these States to strengthen political dialogue and the social and cultural integration of the region, improve its quality of life, stimulate economic growth and promote the well-being of all its citizens.
Background information:
