Costa Rica and the European Union held their sixth round of bilateral consultations in San José, Costa Rica, on December 8, 2022, based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2009.

The parties discussed an extensive list of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest, the result of the solid relationship between Costa Rica and the European Union (EU) as like-minded partners, sharing common values and interests.

Participants discussed the broader agenda of the EU-Costa Rica partnership, took stock of the EU's multi-annual programming, including investment opportunities under the "Global Gateway" framework, as well as regional and global cooperation within the framework of the Alliance for Development in Democracy, to promote development activities for the benefit of the country.

The strong-shared commitment in the fight against climate change occupies a prominent place on the EU-Costa Rica action agenda. In this context, the outcome of COP-27 and the path towards a green transition were discussed. The EU and Costa Rica share the objective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The parties confirmed their shared visions on common challenges such as the urgency of continuing to work on climate change, the preservation of biodiversity, and ocean governance. They also welcomed Costa Rica's interest in co-sponsoring with France the III United Nations Conference on the Oceans in 2025 with a high-level event in 2024, as well as holding the OECD environment ministers’ meeting for Latin America and the Caribbean in San José next year.

The participants also took stock of the Central American integration process and the status of the implementation of the trade pillar of the EU-Central America Association Agreement (AACUE). Costa Rica expressed interest in achieving progress in the entry into force of the political and cooperation pillar of the AACUE to realise its full scope and objectives.

The European Union and Costa Rica also addressed issues of the highest relevance, such as the challenges the country faces in terms of migration, and the official launch of the implementation of the project: "Health coverage and access to decent employment for the migrant population, refugees and refugee applicant, under conditions of vulnerability, in Costa Rica”.

Security issues were discussed and the signing of the cybersecurity MoU was celebrated.

Both parties expressed full support for democratic principles and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law and democracy. They reiterated the importance of strengthening multilateralism.

In this regard, Costa Rica and the European Union reiterated their condemnation of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and their firm commitment to international peace and security, and to an international order based on multilateralism, which they stand ready to defend in the different United Nations forums.

The parties recognized that the third meeting of CELAC-EU Foreign Ministers, which took place in Buenos Aires on October 27, 2022, strengthened bi-regional relations and marked an important step towards the next bi-regional Summit of Heads of State and Government, which will take place in July 2023.

In conclusion, the Bilateral Consultations provided a space to identify converging positions and interests on several issues of key importance, including the possibilities for continued cooperation and joint action.

The consultations were co-chaired by Ambassador Lydia Peralta, Vice Minister for Bilateral Affairs and International Cooperation in her capacity as Minister a.i, by the Managing Director for the Americas of the External Action Service of the European Union, Mr. Brian Glynn. The delegations also had the presence of senior representatives of ministries on the part of Costa Rica and senior representatives of the European Commission, as well as the European Investment Bank on behalf of the European Union.