Stronger ties in a changing world
Both regions are becoming partners of choice to address global challenges and defend common interests.
Key Areas of the EU-LAC Partnership
- Multilateralism and global peace & security,
- Trade and investment,
- A fair green and digital transition,
- Sustainable economic growth for human development,
- Justice, citizen security and the fight against transnational organised crime,
- Democracy, rule of law, human rights and humanitarian aid,
- People-to-people partnerships.
At bi-regional level, the EU and CELAC agreed to hold Summits and meetings of Foreign Affairs Ministers every two years, and to set up a consultative coordination instance to ensure continuity and follow-up between high-level meetings.
The EU-LAC partnership is supported by the Global Gateway investment agenda for the region until 2027. This agenda aims to mobilise €45 billion for green transition and digital transformation projects to help address the region’s infrastructure needs, while creating local added value and promoting growth and decent jobs.
Furthermore, more than 20 countries from LAC signed the EU-LAC Joint Declaration on Digital Alliance, a strategic framework to foster substantial bi-regional cooperation across the full spectrum of digital and space issues.
The EU-LAC Digital Alliance which is promoting a bi-regional digital agenda, organised a series of events including those on
Follow the link to download a factsheet about the Digital Alliance.
Deepening EU engagement with LAC at regional and sub-regional level
The bi-regional dialogue with the Community of Latin American & Caribbean States (CELAC) is complemented by engagement with the 33 LAC countries and with sub-regional organisations, including:
- Mercosur (Southern Common Market)
- Pacific Alliance
- Andean Community
- SICA (Central America Integration System)
- OAS (Organization of American States)
- Ibero-American General Secretariat
Due to its own specificities, the Caribbean countries merit increased political attention and structured dialogue. The EU is thus reinforcing the (sub-) regional cooperation with sub-regional regional organizations like CARICOM and OACPS, including its subgroup CARIFORUM, which serves as a base for economic dialogue when applying the Economic Partnership Agreement.
The EU is strengthening partnerships in the region with Small Island Developing States (SIDS), an increasing influential group of 39 states and 18 Associate Members, to support them tackling their sustainable development challenges also through a EU Special Envoy. Twenty-one of them are covered by EU Economic Partnerships Agreements. are Important assets to this bi-regional partnership are EU outermost regions as well as Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs).
EU–LAC, a multi-layered and dynamic partnership
The relationship with LAC countries is very dynamic. The EU has a strategic partnerships in place with Brazil and Mexico, meaning a mechanism of strengthened political dialogue pushing for enhanced relations both on the bilateral and multilateral agenda.
In December 2023, the EU and Chile concluded a ground-breaking Advanced Framework Agreement and an Interim Trade Agreement to strengthen political cooperation and foster trade and investment.
Moreover, some LAC countries participate in Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions.
EU and LAC for multilateralism
The EU and LAC countries are staunch defenders of multilateralism and the rules-based international order. EU and LAC together muster nearly one third of the votes at the UN, and include seven members of the G20.
The EU works with LAC to address climate change and the destruction of biodiversity, implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as on the reform of global governance, including the international financial architecture, to make it more inclusive and effective. The EU and most LAC countries are like-minded partners in international and multilateral fora on a number of issues, including democracy, human rights, drugs, the fight against transnational crime, nuclear non-proliferation, gender and digital rights.
THE EU Delegations’ network in LAC
The EU is represented through some 144 EU Delegations and Offices around the world. For over 50 years, these Delegations and Offices have acted as the eyes, ears and mouthpiece of the EU vis-à-vis the authorities and population in their host countries. There are 26 EU Delegations in LAC.
The relevance of EU and LAC Parliamentary Diplomacy and Civil Society
- Parliamentary diplomacy, through bodies like EuroLat, is a key component of the relationship.
- Youth, civil society and local authorities play an important role in the partnership between EU and LAC.
The EU-LAC Foundation is likewise crucial to build bridges by actively participating in the partnership and connecting non-state actors with political representatives at the highest level.
