Brussels, 05/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - In a letter to new High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini (who took up office on 1 November), the European civil society networks - Aprodev, Cidse, Cifca, Grupo Sur and Oidhaco - have underlined the importance of Mogherini's role of leader in defending human rights in her future relations with Latin America.
In their letter, the five NGOs are concerned about the reduction of development aid in Latin America, which has fallen from 16% to 13% for the 2014-2020 period in comparison with the 2007-2013 period. They are also concerned about the growing role given to the European private sector in cooperation and development policy with Latin America.
In addition, the letter's signatories fear that the increased exchanges between the EU and Latin America - stimulated by new trade agreements like those that have recently come into force (Colombia and Peru in 2013) or been concluded (Ecuador in 2014) - condemn the south American continent to being a large exporter of raw materials to the European market and a receiver of manufactured products from Europe. Exports of raw materials from Latin America and the Caribbean increased from 44% to 52% between 2001 and 2011, the NGOs recall, by way of substantiating their fears.
The five NGOs also criticise the increasing persecution of social protest activities and the defence of human rights as part of European investment projects. They stress the need for European companies to conform to the EU directives on corporate social responsibility when it comes to investing abroad.
Lastly, the signatory NGOs call on the EU to ensure that the high rates of poverty and inequality that currently exist in Latin America be taken into account in the political dialogue and EU development cooperation policies with Latin America. (EH)