06/06/2023 (Agence Europe) – Ahead of the next EU/CELAC summit, to be held on 17 and 18 July in Brussels (see EUROPE 13189/10), the European Commission is asking the Council for the green light to negotiate, on behalf of the EU, a non-binding political instrument with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on disaster preparedness. According to a document dated 31 May, this green light from the Member States should enable the Commission to begin negotiations on a memorandum of understanding with the sub-regional intergovernmental entities of these partner countries. The signature of this future EU/CELAC partnership initiative will, in due course, require the agreement of the EU Council. Further information, go to https://aeur.eu/f/78w (AN)