20 years after the definition of a strategic partnership between the European Union and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) unveiled on Tuesday 16 April a strategy to revitalise relations over the next 5 years that are considered positive but tested by China's growing appetite.
“China competes with the EU”: between 2000 and 2017, trade between Latin America and China rose from $10 billion to $244 billion, according to the communication published the same day.
In comparison, trade in goods between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean reached €225.4 billion in 2018, while trade in services reached €102 billion in 2017.
Four main axes are proposed to strengthen a partnership of equals between two regional groups: - economic partnership, in particular through the implementation of existing intra-regional trade agreements and, if possible, the conclusion of new agreements such as the one with Mercosur; - the strengthening of democratic values, for example by affirming minority rights and combating “alarming” levels of violence against women; - sustainable development, both on climate issues and in the fight against inequality, corruption and organised crime; - the promotion of a multilateral system based on common principles and rules, including the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and a reformed World Trade Organisation.
While it should have taken place in 2017 in San Salvador, the biennial EU/CELAC summit had been postponed indefinitely. 2 years later, no date or venue has been proposed for a new summit.
The political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela is mentioned in its migration dimension, which has led to the exile of more than 3 million Venezuelans in the region’s countries, as well as in Europe. Reference is also made to the international contact group charged with creating the political conditions that would allow new presidential elections to be held, as the EU does not recognise Nicolás Maduro's second term as President.
See the communication: http://bit.ly/2V2s0aF (Mathieu Bion)