European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean: joining forces for a common future

Summary:

Joint communication presented on 16 April 2019 by the European Commission and the High Representative of the European Union on the EU's relations with Latin America and the Caribbean.

Further information:

Since 1999 the European Union (EU) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have been linked by a successful and long-standing partnership, grounded on a commitment to fundamental freedoms, sustainable development and a strong rules-based international system. For over twenty years, such a partnership has been a platform for mutually beneficial cooperation, a driver of change and an incubator for new ideas.

Today’s fast evolving geopolitical environment introduces new challenges and opportunities for the partnership, reinforcing the case for a more effective regional and bilateral cooperation, a modernised partnership focused on trade, investment and sectoral cooperation. The EU, with its model of regional economic integration and connectivity, can be an important partner of LAC in tackling those challenges.

In this context, this Communication proposes to strengthen the EU’s political partnership with LAC, setting out a vision for a stronger and modernised bi-regional partnership in the light of changing global and regional realities.