The leaders of the European Union and of seven Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) nations held a video conference on December 2, 2021.
During the meeting, President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen represented the EU, while. High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell also participated in the meeting.
From LAC partner countries, the officials from Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Suriname participated in the video conference.
President of the European Council Charles Michel said: “Today’s Leaders’ Meeting is an important step to relaunch the dialogue between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean at the highest level, after a 6-year hiatus. We hope it will also be a stepping-stone towards a fully-fledged bi-regional Summit as soon as conditions allow. More than ever, our strategic association is one of geopolitical relevance: together, EU and LAC account for nearly a third of UN membership and seven members of the G20. We can therefore have a decisive role in shaping the multilateral agenda and in addressing key global challenges such as COVID-19, sustainable development and climate change.”
The EU leaders reiterated their readiness to enhance cooperation to address the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted that the member states have donated additional 10 million doses to almost half of LAC countries.
The European officials also stated that they are ready “to explore possibilities for supporting the production and distribution of vaccines in the region.”
“Our regions are vital partners. We share culture and values, we are supporters of multilateralism, and we connect through trade and investment. Building on these ties the EU is ready work together with Latin America and the Caribbean for a sustainable, digital and socially inclusive recovery. The Global Gateway Strategy, that we just launched, can take this partnership forward. It is a template how Europe can build more resilient connections with partners around the world. During the corona pandemic, the EU and its Member States have proved their solidarity. We have supported countries in the region with vaccines to address urgent health care needs as well as funding to tackle the socio-economic consequences, particularly among the most vulnerable groups. We must now work together for a long-term response to the crisis,” President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said.
The EU leaders also announced that €3.4 billion will be delivered under NDICI-Global Europe (2021-2027) for LAC in support of sustainable long-term recovery from the pandemic.
It was also highlighted during the meeting that “no lasting recovery can be achieved without respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, with particular attention to be given to vulnerable groups and promoting the empowerment of women and girls.”
